TFH 2/4: Lieutenant Colonel Stanley T. Adams, USA

Stanley Taylor Adams, "Stan", was born on May 9, 1922 in De Soto, Kansas. His service to our Nation began during World War II. He was wounded twice during the North African and Italian campaigns, and later served on occupation duty in Japan.

Adams' Korean War service saw him gain an officer's commission for his leadership. Not long before he received his gold bars as a Second Lieutenant, then-Sergeant First Class Stan Adams led 13 men in a courageous counter-attack against an enemy force with at least 10 times the strength in numbers. Charging ahead with fixed bayonets, Adams and his soldiers routed the enemy. 

This happened 61 years ago today. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty", he was decorated with our Nation's highest honor.

From Medal of Honor Citations for the Korean War:

ADAMS, STANLEY T.

Rank and organization: Master Sergeant (then Sfc.), U.S. Army, Company A, 19th Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Near Sesim-ni, Korea, 4 February 1951. Entered service at: Olathe, Kans. Born: 9 May 1922, DeSoto, Kans. G.O. No.: 66, 2 August 1951. Citation: M/Sgt. Adams, Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy. At approximately 0100 hours, M/Sgt. Adams' platoon, holding an outpost some 200 yards ahead of his company, came under a determined attack by an estimated 250 enemy troops. Intense small-arms, machine gun, and mortar fire from 3 sides pressed the platoon back against the main line of resistance. Observing approximately 150 hostile troops silhouetted against the skyline advancing against his platoon, M/Sgt. Adams leaped to his feet, urged his men to fix bayonets, and he, with 13 members of his platoon, charged this hostile force with indomitable courage. Within 50 yards of the enemy M/Sgt. Adams was knocked to the ground when pierced in the leg by an enemy bullet. He jumped to his feet and, ignoring his wound, continued on to close with the enemy when he was knocked down 4 times from the concussion of grenades which had bounced off his body. Shouting orders he charged the enemy positions and engaged them in hand-to-hand combat where man after man fell before his terrific onslaught with bayonet and rifle butt. After nearly an hour of vicious action M/Sgt. Adams and his comrades routed the fanatical foe, killing over 50 and forcing the remainder to withdraw. Upon receiving orders that his battalion was moving back he provided cover fire while his men withdrew. M/Sgt. Adams' superb leadership, incredible courage, and consummate devotion to duty so inspired his comrades that the enemy attack was completely thwarted, saving his battalion from possible disaster. His sustained personal bravery and indomitable fighting spirit against overwhelming odds reflect the utmost glory upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the infantry and the military service. 

Stanley Adams remained in the Army and also served in Vietnam. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1970. He passed away in a veterans' home at age 76 in 1999 from complications due to Alzheimer's Disease. He rests today in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon