Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Marvin
Harrison
Adams
1915-09-15

–

1979-11-05

Born:

Shelbyville

, 

Tennessee

Home:

Shelbyville

, 

Tennessee

Buried: 

Denver

, 

Colorado

Cemetery:

Fort Logan National Cemetery

Marvin Adams grew up in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and then attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he received his bachelor of arts degree. He then pursued his bachelor of divinity degree from Chandler School of Theology, in Atlanta, graduating in 1940. He was ordained a Methodist-Episcopal minister, and moved with his wife to Saint Ignatius, Montana where he was district superintendent appointee, subsequently serving in the same capacity at Arlee and Dixon, Montana. He was received into the Montana conference in June 1940, and then received full connection with the Montana Methodist Conference in 1942, and transferred to Valier, Montana. He entered military service in September 1943 and was appointed a U.S. Army chaplain, serving until 1945, including service in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. After the war he was appointed pastor of the Methodist church at Glendive, Montana, and in 1948 of the First Methodist Church in Bozeman. After other pastorates in Montana, in 1968 he moved to Greely, Colorado, where he pastored the Greely First United Methodist Church, and had just been reappointed for his 12th year as senior pastor at the time of his death.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    290th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    75th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 18, 1945
    Headquarters, 75th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 184 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Marvin Harrison Adams, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with the 290th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 18 January 1945 in Belgium. Chaplain Adams risked his life daily in remaining in the front lines to encourage the men. On 18 January 1945, when a litter squad was held up by sniper fire at Bartonville, Belgium, Captain Adams led it through enemy lines and remained in charge throughout a night of heavy action to evacuate 25 wounded from a besieged American platoon. He was also of great assistance to various medical units, when blood transfusion and other remedial measures were necessary at the front. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Adams, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.