ADAMS ERNEST V. JR., 31358037 US Army KIA PTO 43rd Infantry Division Killed in Action January 19, 1945 – Haverhill Massachusetts
PRIVATE ERNEST V. ADAMS, JR., 31358037 KIA
Private ERNEST V. ADAMS, Junior, Service number 31358037 United States Army K.I.A. Private Adams attended Haverhill Trade School and was then employed at the Taillon Retread Company. He enlisted in the Army in June, 1943, and was assigned to the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. While at Camp Stoneman, California, when he was preparing to go overseas he became sick. During his hospitalization his outfit went overseas. Upon his discharge he was sent to New Caledonia and then to New Zealand where he joined Cannon Company, 169th Infantry regiment, 43rd Infantry Division. He fought in New Guinea and the invasion of Luzon, Philippines, as an M-7 tank driver. On January 19, 1945, the Japanese made a night attack on his company perimeter. Private Adams stood in his fox hole and fired his tommy gun at the attacking enemy. He is credited with killing eight Japanese soldiers before he was mortally wounded. For this action he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest V. Adams, Sr., 724 Broadway, and one sister.
