TFH 5/25: Major William E. Adams, USA

William Edward Adams was born on June 13, 1939 in Casper, Wyoming. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1962 and volunteered for the United States Army. His tour as a helicopter pilot with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam began on July 6, 1970.

On May 25, 1971 - with only slightly more than a month left in his tour - Major Adams volunteered to fly his lightly armed and armored helicopter to a remote post where three of his seriously wounded comrades needed medical evacuation. The post was under heavy attack, it was daylight, and the weather was good. There would be no cover or concealment for the rescue flight.

Nonetheless, he flew with great courage, and while his craft was eventually destroyed his service above and beyond the regular call of duty saw him posthumously decorated with the Medal of Honor.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (A-L):


*ADAMS, WILLIAM E.


Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, A/227th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Place and Date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 25 May 1971. Entered Service at: Kansas City, Mo. Born: 16 June 1939, Casper, Wyo. Citation: Maj. Adams distinguished himself on 25 May 1971 while serving as a helicopter pilot in Kontum Province in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Maj. Adams volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter in an attempt to evacuate 3 seriously wounded soldiers from a small fire base which was under attack by a large enemy force. He made the decision with full knowledge that numerous antiaircraft weapons were positioned around the base and that the clear weather would afford the enemy gunners unobstructed view of all routes into the base. As he approached the base, the enemy gunners opened fire with heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Undaunted by the fusillade, he continued his approach determined to accomplish the mission. Displaying tremendous courage under fire, he calmly directed the attacks of supporting gunships while maintaining absolute control of the helicopter he was flying. He landed the aircraft at the fire base despite the ever-increasing enemy fire and calmly waited until the wounded soldiers were placed on board. As his aircraft departed from the fire base, it was struck and seriously damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire and began descending. Flying with exceptional skill, he immediately regained control of the crippled aircraft and attempted a controlled landing. Despite his valiant efforts, the helicopter exploded, overturned, and plummeted to earth amid the hail of enemy fire. Maj. Adams' conspicuous gallantry, intrepidity, and humanitarian regard for his fellow man were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of the military service and reflected utmost credit on him and the U S. Army.

Major Adams' name appears on Panel 03W, Line 54 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in our Nation's capital. He rests in peace at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado.

The 52d Aviation Battalion was redesignated as the 52d Aviation Regiment on January 16, 1996. The lineage of the Vietnam-era 1st Aviation Brigade is today held by the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.