27 February 1913 – 18 November 1944

Hometown

Woodstock, Illinois

Service number

36697710

Rank

Private First Class

Unit

Company H, 16th Infantry Regiment

Award(s)

Distinguished Service Cross

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Citation: Under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in paragraph 3c, Section I, Circular 32, Headquarters European Theater of Operations, United States Army, 20 March 1944, as amended, the Distinguished Service Cross is posthumously awarded to Private First Class John W. Adams, 36697710, 16th Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 18 November 1944, in Germany. When a strong enemy force assaulted his position, Private First Class Adams poured withering machine gun fire into the advancing foe, halting the attack. A second wave of Germans charged his position. Alone and greatly outnumbered, Private First Class Adams held his ground against this second fanatical attack and continued to fire until his position was overrun, and he, himself was killed by enemy grenades exploding in his emplacement. By his superb heroism and unflinching valor, Private First Class Adams successfully delayed the enemy penetration until reinforcements were brought forward. Entered military service from Illinois.