Killing well over a hundred enemy,
saving several fallen comrades, and sustaining multiple wounds from hostile
fire, retired SGM Bennie Adkins finally honored for incredible heroism. This incredible
story is describe in MOH award citaton.
The award citation reads:
The President of the United States,
authorized by Act of Congress, March 3rd, 1863, has awarded in the name of
Congress the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Bennie G. Adkins, United
States Army.
Sergeant First Class Bennie G.
Adkins distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Intelligence
Sergeant with Detachment A-102, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces,
during combat operations against an armed enemy at Camp A Shau, Republic of
Vietnam, from March 9 to 12, 1966.
When the camp was attacked by a
large North Vietnamese and Viet Cong force in the early morning hours, Sergeant
First Class Adkins rushed through intense enemy fire and manned a mortar
position continually adjusting fire for the camp, despite incurring wounds as
the mortar pit received several direct hits from enemy mortars. Upon learning
that several soldiers were wounded near the center of camp, he temporarily
turned the mortar over to another soldier, ran through exploding mortar rounds,
and dragged several comrades to safety.
As the hostile fire subsided,
Sergeant First Class Adkins exposed himself to sporadic sniper fire while
carrying his wounded comrades to the camp dispensary. When Sergeant First Class
Adkins and his group of defenders came under heavy small arms fire from members
of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group that had defected to fight with the North
Vietnamese, he maneuvered outside the camp to evacuate a seriously wounded
American and draw fire, all the while successfully covering the rescue. When a
resupply air drop landed outside of the camp perimeter, Sergeant First Class
Adkins, again, moved outside of the camp walls to retrieve the much-needed
supplies.
During the early morning hours of
March 10, 1966, enemy forces launched their main attack and within two hours,
Sergeant First Class Adkins was the only man firing a mortar weapon. When all
mortar rounds were expended, Sergeant First Class Adkins began placing
effective recoilless rifle fire upon enemy positions. Despite receiving
additional wounds from enemy rounds exploding on his position, Sergeant First
Class Adkins fought off intense waves of attacking Viet Cong. Sergeant First
Class Adkins eliminated numerous insurgents with small arms fire after
withdrawing to a communications bunker with several soldiers. Running extremely
low on ammunition, he returned to the mortar pit, gathered vital ammunition and
ran through intense fire back to the bunker.
After being ordered to evacuate the
camp, Sergeant First Class Adkins and a small group of soldiers destroyed all
signal equipment and classified documents, dug their way out of the rear of the
bunker and fought their way out of the camp. While carrying a wounded soldier
to the extraction point he learned that the last helicopter had already
departed.
Sergeant First Class Adkins led the
group while evading the enemy until they were rescued by helicopter on March
12, 1966. During the 38-hour battle and 48 hours of escape and evasion,
fighting with mortars, machine guns, reconciles rifles, small arms, and hand
grenades, it was estimated that Sergeant First Class Adkins had killed between
135 and 175 of the enemy while sustaining 18 different wounds to his body.
Sergeant First Class Adkins’
extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great
credit upon himself, Detachment A-102, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special
Forces and the United States Army.
SGM Bennie Adkins is a true hero,
and the bright light in life of every soldier. Well done!
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