Medal of Honor: Stanley T. Adams – U.S. Army – Korea – 1951

Name: Stanley T. Adams
Rank: Master Sergeant (then Sergeant First Class)
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 19th Infantry Regiment
Place: Near Sesim-ni, Korea
Entered Service At: Olathe, Kansas
Born: 9 May 1922, DeSoto, Kansas

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Summary of Action

In the early hours of 4 February 1951, Master Sergeant Stanley T. Adams was leading a platoon holding an exposed outpost approximately 200 yards forward of the main line of resistance near Sesim-ni, Korea.

At approximately 0100 hours, the position was attacked by an estimated 250 enemy soldiers, supported by intense small-arms, machine-gun, and mortar fire from three sides. The ferocity of the assault forced the platoon back toward the main defensive line.

Observing approximately 150 enemy troops silhouetted on the skyline, advancing relentlessly toward his men, M/Sgt. Adams leaped to his feet, ordered his platoon to fix bayonets, and personally led 13 soldiers in a direct charge into the attacking force.

Within 50 yards of the enemy, he was shot through the leg and knocked to the ground. Ignoring the wound, he rose and continued forward. As grenades bounced off his body and exploded around him, he was knocked down four separate times, yet each time he regained his feet, shouting orders and driving the assault onward.

Closing with the enemy, M/Sgt. Adams engaged in brutal hand-to-hand combat, using bayonet and rifle butt, cutting through the attacking force. For nearly an hour of savage night fighting, he and his men shattered the enemy assault, killing more than 50 and forcing the remainder to withdraw in disorder.

When ordered to fall back with the battalion, M/Sgt. Adams remained behind to provide covering fire, ensuring the safe withdrawal of his platoon and the rest of the unit.

His fearless leadership, relentless aggression, and refusal to yield under overwhelming odds saved his battalion from possible destruction and decisively broke the enemy attack.

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Medal of Honor Citation

M/Sgt. Adams, Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy. At approximately 0100 hours, M/Sgt. Adams’ platoon, holding an outpost some 200 yards ahead of his company, came under a determined attack by an estimated 250 enemy troops. Intense small-arms, machine gun, and mortar fire from 3 sides pressed the platoon back against the main line of resistance. Observing approximately 150 hostile troops silhouetted against the skyline advancing against his platoon, M/Sgt. Adams leaped to his feet, urged his men to fix bayonets, and he, with 13 members of his platoon, charged this hostile force with indomitable courage. Within 50 yards of the enemy M/Sgt. Adams was knocked to the ground when pierced in the leg by an enemy bullet. He jumped to his feet and, ignoring his wound, continued on to close with the enemy when he was knocked down 4 times from the concussion of grenades which had bounced off his body. Shouting orders he charged the enemy positions and engaged them in hand-to-hand combat where man after man fell before his terrific onslaught with bayonet and rifle butt. After nearly an hour of vicious action M/Sgt. Adams and his comrades routed the fanatical foe, killing over 50 and forcing the remainder to withdraw. Upon receiving orders that his battalion was moving back he provided cover fire while his men withdrew. M/Sgt. Adams’ superb leadership, incredible courage, and consummate devotion to duty so inspired his comrades that the enemy attack was completely thwarted, saving his battalion from possible disaster. His sustained personal bravery and indomitable fighting spirit against overwhelming odds reflect the utmost glory upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the infantry and the military service.