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War hero brought home, laid to rest after 40 years MIA

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kenny Holston
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
KANSAS CITY, Kan. --  As three rifle vollies rang throughout Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery July 27, the sounds meant a Vietnam War veteran who had been missing in action for more than 40 years was finally home to rest .

Active-duty members, retirees and their families gathered at Chief Master Sgt. Quincy Adam's final resting place to pay their respects. Among them was Staff Sgt. Adam Blankenship, cousin of Chief Adam.

"It's been a long road for our family waiting for this type of closure," said Sergeant Blankenship, assigned to the 436th Security Forces Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Del. "I received the news while deployed to Afghanistan, and it really redefined the pride that I have in serving our country."

In keeping with tradition, the Whiteman AFB honor guard gathered its entire fleet to ensure a proper and honorable military funeral was carried out for the late Chief Adam and his family.

"Today is a good day," said Tech. Sgt. Dave Giberson, Whiteman AFB honor guard NCO in charge. "One of our own has been brought home; we've practiced long and hard for this day, so let's go out there and do what we do best."

As the funeral commenced and respects were paid, a Vietnam-era C-130 Hercules flyover was performed by an aircrew from the 62nd Airlift Squadron at Little Rock AFB, Ark. However, in homage to Chief Adam and his tie to the 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron, all of the crewmembers were former members of the 41st AS and volunteered for the opportunity to honor Chief Adam.

After the rifle vollies had been fired, Master Sgt. Gregory Giles of the honor guard detail presented Kenneth Adam, father of Chief Adam with a folded American flag on behalf of the United States for all his son sacrificed for his country.

"The feeling of handing over that folded flag was like nothing I've experienced in my 21 years of performing in the honor guard," Sergeant Giles said. "The fact that his son passed away before him while serving his country made my feelings that much more overwhelming. I was honored to perform such a service to say the least, and proud to have been a part of a very important funeral."

Chief Adam served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War as a C-130 loadmaster. Growing up, Chief Adam wanted nothing more than to fly, so joining the Air Force was only natural for him.

As the United States moved forward with efforts in Vietnam, Chief Adam and the rest of his crew got the call letting them know they were needed in Asia. Without hesitation, they set off to war in their C-130, call sign "Blind Bat 01."

Chief Adam and his crew carried out a regularly scheduled night flare drop mission over eastern Laos, adjacent to the northern most provinces of South Vietnam near the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. The trail, a crucial target for U.S. forces, was used by the Communists to transport weapons, supplies and troops from North Vietnam into South Vietnam.

As Chief Adam and his crew continued their routine mission, orbiting the target area, "Blind Bat 01" made its last radio contact with the airborne mission command and control center at 8:30 p.m., May 22, 1968. At 9:15 p.m., however, "Blind Bat 01" could not be reached and another C-130, "Blind Bat 02," was dispatched to search for the missing aircraft.

While searching, the aircrew of "Blind Bat 02" saw a large fire on the battlefield below. This was later deemed to be the wreckage of "Blind Bat 01." The entire crew was listed as MIA.

After 40 years, Chief Adam's remains were discovered in Southeast Asia and he was brought home to Kansas City, Kan., to rest.

"It's such a relief to finally have this closure," said Kenneth Adam. "I've waited and prayed for this moment to come every day for the past 30 years, and now that's its finally here I can rejoice and rest easy knowing that my son is home."