#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Raymond S. Adams

During Black History Month, today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Raymond S. Adams, who served as a military policeman in Vietnam.

Raymond S. Adams was born in 1949. Adams enlisted in the Army in 1972 while living in Dayton, Ohio. Instead of waiting for the draft, he enlisted to support his family.

Adams went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to complete basic training. Adams recalled that he saw Kentucky in a new light: he had never seen it like that before, with red mud and boulders everywhere. Initially, he felt isolated and lonely, not knowing anyone at basic training. There, however, he got back in shape and ready for war. He said his training helped build his spirits.

Adams’ first tour was in Korea, where he served for 13 months. He then came back to the U.S. to Indiana, then went to Thailand. He said he especially enjoyed the food in Thailand and would continue to indulge in it after his service as well.

Adams went to Vietnam in 1972. As part of the military police, his responsibilities included knowing the law, performing security tasks and guard duty. He and his fellow soldiers would often hold barbecues to keep up traditions from back home. They also pranked each other to keep up their spirits and humor. Some of his most memorable experiences during all his years in service, however, were of coming back to his family and having them visit him at his various postings within the U.S.

Adams received various citations and medals during his service, including five letters of commendation.

Following his discharge in 1977, Adams returned home to his wife, Diane, and their children. He retired from GM Truck & Bus Group. At the age of 69, Adams passed away in March 2019, surrounded by his family and friends.

We honor his service.

Click here to find more information about his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Contributors

Writer: Harshini Ravi

Editor: Kara Anderson, Essence McPherson

Fact checker: Ariel Coronado

Graphic artist: Alyssa Morford