- February 5, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
Robert "Bob" Adkins enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966. After training he was sent to Germany where he spent approximately 15 months.
One morning, in late Oct. 1967, he woke up to an alert when his company commander had everyone in Adkins' 24th Infantry Company go outside where they were told a troop buildup was needed in Vietnam. President Lyndon B. Johnson was requesting soldiers with experience and Adkins, with about two years of military experience, was the first on the list in his division to leave.
Adkins was sent to Vietnam with approximately 50 out of 96 of his fellow soldiers. They arrived in Vietnam in early Dec. 1967. Adkins was assigned to the 1st Air Calvary Division and was sent to the 15th forward support group in late January before his division was moved to the northernmost region of Vietnam.
"At that time as a young buck sergeant I was given command of a platoon and was sent forward to Camp Evans," Adkins said. "I was given an M16 machine gun platoon; I ran security from Camp Evens to Quang Tri on Highway 1."
Adkins was in the field for nine months during which time he experienced the events of the Tet Offensive, which began in 1968 and the escalation of the war. As Adkins ran supplies up and down the highway he survived the danger of snipers and land mines to bring ammunition, food and medical supplies to troops.
Despite what Adkins went through while in Vietnam, he had no idea what he was coming home to; he did not know about the protests and that soldiers were discouraged from wearing their uniforms.
When Adkins stepped into the airport he was called a baby killer, he was spit at and cursed at; he said he realized he needed to take off his uniform.
"But I knew that I was a better man than that," Adkins said. "I had just fought for this country, but I put up with the harassment until I got home."
It took Adkins 45 years to be able to fully talk about what he had experienced in Vietnam and what happened afterward when he returned home. However, he now tells his story throughout the county to provide students with a personal history lesson.
In addition to his educational work, Adkins also makes sure that whenever he sees another veteran he tells them "thank you" and "welcome home." Adkins said this is a must for him as his generation did not receive that welcome home and that it is important to let veterans finally hear those words after all these years.
And now that it is July 4, Adkins has a feeling of pride and looks at the day not simply as a holiday but as a day that has much deeper meaning.
"July 4 to me is freedom, pride, the love to my country," Adkins said. "It's all about family, country and this great flag that we fought for."
