Bennie G. Adkins
Bennie G. Adkins (February 1, 1934 – April 17, 2020) was a United States Army soldier. He was a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for actions in March 1966 during the Vietnam War.
Bennie G. Adkins | |
---|---|
Born | Waurika, Oklahoma | February 1, 1934
Died | April 17, 2020 Opelika, Alabama | (aged 86)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1956–1978 |
Rank | Command Sergeant Major |
Unit | 5th Special Forces Group |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Bronze Star Medal (2 with "V" device) Purple Heart (3) |
From March 9-12, 1966 Adkins distinguished himself during a 38-hour close-combat battle against North Vietnamese Army forces during the Battle of A Shau. At the time of the cited action, Adkins was a sergeant first class serving as an Intelligence Sergeant with Detachment A-102, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces.[1]
In March 2020 Adkins was hospitalized with COVID-19 in Opelika, Alabama.[2] He died on April 17, 2020 from the virus, at the age of 86.[3]
Bennie G. Adkins Media
CSM Adkins receiving the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama.
Adkins with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph F. Dunford in 2017
Army Good Conduct Medal Subsequent Award Clasp * The second and subsequent awards are indicated by the wear of the clasp with loop on the ribbon.Bronze clasps indicate the second (two loops) through fifth award (five loops);*Silver clasps indicate sixth (one loop) through tenth award (five loops); and*Gold clasps indicate eleventh (one loop) through the fifteenth award (five loops).
References
- ↑ "Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins". United States Army. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ↑ Correll, Diana Stancy (March 27, 2020). "Beloved Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins critically ill and hospitalized with COVID-19". Military Times. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ↑ "Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins, known for Vietnam heroics, dies of coronavirus - Veterans - Stripes". Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
Other websites
- Troyan, Mary (15 September 2014). Opelika man awarded Medal of Honor. Montgomery Advertiser. http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/dispatch/2014/09/14/medal-honor-will-go-opelika-man/15640761/. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- Vergun, David. "President awards Medals of Honor to 2 Vietnam veterans". United States Army. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- Medal recipient killed up to 175 enemy troops, September 15, 2014, Brad Lendon, CNN