Adams is Veteran of the Month

J.B. Adams, District 4, is Choctaw Nation’s Veteran of the Month.
Adams was born in Commerce, Okla., and grew up in the Short Mountain/Tucker area, attending school in Short Mountain. By the fifth grade, he decided to leave school and begin working.
At sixteen, he moved to Arizona and attempted to enlist in the military two days after turning eighteen. He was turned down due to health reasons but was later drafted into the U.S. Army on January 29, 1945.
He completed Basic Training at Camp Roberts, Calif., initially training for combat against German forces.
However, the German surrender coincided with the completion of his training, and he was reassigned to prepare for battle in the Pacific Theater. His service included working in an ordinance center and inspecting and repairing equipment.
He was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for orders before deploying to the Philippines, where he served for 18 months.
He worked tirelessly seven days a week to locate and remove Japanese soldiers from the mountains. Though the war had been declared over, many Japanese soldiers were unaware that the conflict had ended. At one point, Adams was aboard a ship for 45 consecutive days.
He became stationed in Manila, Philippines, where he enjoyed spending time with friends.
Adams left the service with the rank of T-3. Commendations included the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Philippine Independence Ribbon.
Upon returning to the U.S., Adams began working for General Motors in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
He married his wife, Ruby, with whom he has shared 74 years of marriage.
They have three children, Brenda, Donald and Cheryl, 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
When he reflects upon his life, Adams remarked he has endured many challenges but wants everyone to know that he will be in Heaven one day.
The Choctaw Nation holds our veterans in the highest esteem and appreciates their sacrifices and contributions to preserve our freedoms and the way of life we hold dear.