Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class David F. Adkins (ASN: RA-11653648), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Four Adkins distinguished himself while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 11 November 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry. Company C was ordered to reinforce two companies from the 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry, who were surrounded and taking heavy casualties. When Company C was within three hundred meters of the besieged perimeter, the lead platoon made heavy contact. Specialist Adkins, a grenadier, immediately started to fire on the North Vietnamese army force. He crawled forward under savage automatic weapons fire, constantly exposing himself in order to place effective fire on the enemy. During the assault, while engaging a trench system, Specialist Adkins was wounded by an enemy grenade. Disregarding his wound as he charged the enemy position and killed the enemy. Specialist Adkins was in a forward position during the final assault and was one of the first to break through the beleaguered perimeter. Running to the opposite side of the perimeter, he helped push back the enemy and was instrumental in repelling two enemy counter-attacks which were coupled with a mortar and rocket barrage. Specialist Adkins later covered the withdrawal of the wounded back to a landing zone several hundred meters away. Upon arriving at the landing zone, Specialist Adkins refused to be evacuated until he was ordered to board a helicopter by his platoon leader. Specialist Adkins’ aggressiveness, devotion to duty, courage and personal bravery were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Awards Received