Lieutenant Colonel (R) Adams was born in Harlem, New York on 8 December 1926. He enlisted in the Army from 1944 to 1946. He served as an Infantryman and as a Surgical Technician. He earned the Light Heavyweight Championship title in boxing for NYS colleges in 1948 and received his Army ROTC commission from Syracuse University in 1951.
LTC (R) Adams attended Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia where he served as a platoon leader for 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry and as the Battalion S-2 for 3rd Infantry Division in the Korean War from September 1953 to December 1954. Served as the Company Commander for HHC, 1st Brigade, 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. Attended the Infantry Officer Advanced Course in 1960 and the Military Advisors Course in 1965 at the Special Warfare School in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Served as a field grade officer during two tours of Vietnam. He served as the Senior Regimental Advisor for the 9th Regiment, 5th Division from November 1965 to November 1966. He served as the Professor of Military Science at the University of Cincinnati from November 1966 to June 1970. LTC (R) Adams attended the Psychological Operations at Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg in 1970 and returned to Vietnam to serve as the LNO for Military Regions I & II from November 1970 to November 1971. LTC (R) Adams served as the Chief of the Tactical Division at the US Army Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona from November 1971 to June 1973. LTC Adams retired in June 1973 after 23 years of military service.
LTC (R) Adams awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/ metal pendant, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, American Theater of Operations/WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service, Vietnamese Service (w/ Silver Star), USAR Medal (20 years’ service), UN Service, and the Vietnamese Campaign Ribbon.
LTC (R) Adams currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife Alice E. Adams. The Adams’ have two daughters, Charlene, and Marcia, one son, Maurice, and many grandchildren. LTC (R) Adams currently serves on the Board of Directors and the Chairmen of the Armed Forces/Veterans Affairs for the Cincinnati Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.