The 65th Infantry Regiment Motorcycle Association 

POW/MIA Of the Day

"On July 17th, 1953, the sky filled with enemy fire, HEAVY enemy fire. Virgil Boyd Adkins rose above the danger to his own life to save the lives of others. And when retreat was sounded, Private Adkins volunteered to stay behind and provide cover for his fellow troops."

Adkins was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, on a combat patrol to reconnoiter enemy activity in an area north of the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), North Korea, when it came under attack, forcing a withdrawal back to friendly lines. As a result of the fighting, Adkins was reported missing in action.

His Silver Star citation reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. During the morning and afternoon of 17 July 1953, in the vicinity of Sinmok-Tong, Korea, Company B assaulted enemy held Hill 433. In the action, many friendly casualties were sustained and Private Adkins immediately began treating and evacuating them. Disregarding the heavy enemy fire, he repeatedly moved about the terrain under fire to aid wounded raiders. When the unit began to return toward the United Nations main line of resistance, Private Adkins volunteered to remain behind and cover the retrograde movement. Courageously protecting his unit, he directed heavy fire upon the foe until mortally wounded by intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Private Adkins' outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service."

Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned to the United States 208 boxes of commingled human remains, which helped account for the remains of at least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war.

Lab analysis on Aug. 15, 2016, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Adkins’ remains were included. He was finally laid to rest at Hilltop Cemetery in Hinton, Summers County, West Virginia.

Welcome home and rest in peace, Pvt. Adkins.