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 | |
|---|---|
| File:Medal of Honor (15257829652).jpg Adkins receiving the Medal of Honor from President Obama | |
| Born | February 1, 1934 Waurika, Oklahoma |
| Died | April 17, 2020 (aged 86) Opelika, Alabama |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1956–1978 |
| Rank | Command Sergeant Major |
| Unit | 5th Special Forces Group 25px |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Bronze Star Medal (2 with "V" device) Purple Heart (3) |
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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]
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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
- Bennie G. Adkins Arlington National Cemetery.jpg
Grave at Arlington National Cemetery
- Medal of Honor ceremony in honor of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins and Spc. 4 Donald Sloat 140915-A-AJ780-009.jpg
CSM Adkins receiving the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama.
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- cmoharmy
Adkins with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph F. Dunford in 2017
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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).
- Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon
- Civil Action Unit Citation.png
Civil Action Unit Citation
- Combat Infantry Badge.svg
Combat Infantryman Badge
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Combat Parachutist Badge w/ 1 star
- Einzelbild Special Forces (Special Forces Insignia).svg
Einzelbild Special Forces (Special Forces Insignia)
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
