ADAMS, JOHN ROBERT

Name: John Robert Adams

Rank/Branch: E5/US Army

Unit: 189th Aviation Co., 17th Aviation Group

Date of Birth: 31 July 1946 (Anderson Dam ID)

Home City of Record: Chico CA

Date of Loss: 08 November 1967

Country of Loss: South Vietnam

Loss Coordinates: 144400N 1073600E (YB800300)

Status (in 1973): Missing In Action

Category: 2

Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1C

Refno: 0899


Other Personnel In Incident: WO McKenna (pilot); SP4 Begay (crewmember); WO Weaks (copilot) - all rescued


Source:

Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 June 1990 from one or more of the following:

raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews.

Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK.


REMARKS:

SYNOPSIS: SP5 John Adams was crewchief aboard a UH1C gunship flying cover on a Special Forces insertion mission west of Dak Tho, Republic of Vietnam on November 8, 1967. While circling the inserted troops, the helicopter began to lose power and attempted to land.

Failing to find a suitable landing zone, McKenna allowed the aircraft to settle tail first into the trees. As the helicopter struck the trees, the tail boom snapped off, spun and came to rest on an upslope, caving in the front of the aircraft. McKenna and Begay exited the right side of the chopper, while Weaks and Adams exited the left. Begay had suffered a broken leg, Weaks had injured his right foot, and Adams had broken his arm and appeared to be in shock.

The four had barely exited the helicopter when they began to receive small arms fire. McKenna radioed for help, and he, Begay and Weaks made their way to an extraction point, with Begay dragging Adams. Begay, because of his own injuries, was unable to carry Adams far, and left him in a slumped-over position against some bushes. Begay later stated that Adams' condition had worsened.

While awaiting extraction, McKenna returned to the crash site to see if he could help Adams. He saw two Viet Cong, one of whom appeared to be shooting at Adams. McKenna shot at the Viet Cong, then fell down the slope to the creekbed from which he was extracted. Adams was last seen slumped over just outside the left cargo door of the crashed aircraft.

Subsequent rescue efforts were frustrated by enemy fire, and the company commander ordered all rescue attempts terminated. Following termination of rescue efforts, the downed aircraft was destroyed to prevent capture of weapons and equipment.

John Adams survived the crash of his helicopter, and with the presence of enemy forces, stands a good chance of being captured. His helicopter contained equipment the Army did not want in the hands of the enemy. Twelve 500 lb. bombs, six CBU-2's, 1600 rounds of 20 mm fire, additional bombs and napalm were dropped on the crash site to prevent capture.

Whether Adams is one of the hundreds of Americans experts believe are still alive in captivity is not known. It is possible that he was shot by the Viet Cong, or worse, died from the heavy bombing laid on the crash site by his own countrymen. What is certain, however, is that the Vietnamese know what happened to John Adams.



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"TAPS"

"Nancy L. Ross" wrote:

We have all heard the haunting melody of "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But do you know the story behind the song?

If not, I think you will be pleased to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing, Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who was severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward the encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son.

The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.

His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was denied since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, which we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.

Day is done

Gone the sun

From the lakes

From the hills

From the sky

All is well,

safely rest.

God is nigh.


Fading light

Dims the sight

And a star

Gems the sky,

Gleaning bright

From afar,

Drawing nigh,

Falls the night.


Thanks and praise,

For our days,

Neath the sun,

Neath the stars,

Neath the sky,

As we go,

This we know,

God is nigh.



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