Bennie G. Adkins - A Tiger among Us: A Story of Valor in Vietnams A Shau Valley

Its important to tell stories about bravery and valor in the face of battle, but it is equally important to tell stories about resilience in lifea soldiers story before and, if they are lucky enough to survive a conflict, after a battle. Its those stories that paint a picture of the courage and resourcefulness it takes to live through a battle and then go on to a life well lived. The complete picture.

Bennie G. Adkinss story exemplifies that very thing. When he left the rural Oklahoma farm of his childhood to join the army, he didnt set out to become a hero. He just saw more opportunity in the military than on the farm. And when, out of boredom, he volunteered for the special forces and made it through the grueling training required to wear a green beret, he didnt plan to find himself in a remote valley in Vietnam fighting a grueling thirty-eight-hour battle for his life and the lives of others. He was to serve three nonconsecutive tours in Vietnam. He was sent back to Vietnam to carry out the stealthy, hush-hush work of Studies and Observation Group maneuvers; he didnt plan on being so effective at his job that the enemy put a price on his head. But he did all of those things.

But after his tours in Vietnam, his story continued. Adkins returned stateside to spend another seven years in the military, reaching the rank of command sergeant major before retiring to start a new life as a successful businessman and teacher. Sergeant majors are a force unto themselves. I used to say that generals are important but sergeants major are essentialand they scare the hell out of me! Bennie probably didnt know that it would take bravery and toughness to make that new life for himself and his family during a time when Vietnam veterans were far from respected. But he did just that for another twenty-two years, during which time he and his wife, Mary, fearlessly moved on with life.

Though he was nominated for the Medal of Honor just after the 1966 battle in which he fought so tirelessly and valiantly, and he was awarded a host of other military honors for his exemplary service during his military career, the true measure of his valor was not fully recognized until almost fifty years later. Thanks to the hard work and tenacity of a number of his military peers who believed in Adkinss worth and his heroic actions, in 2014 he finally stood on a stage at the White House as the Medal of Honor was placed around his neck by the president of the United States.

Adkins will tell you that he wears that medal proudly today, not for himself, though his actions in that battle and beyond are legendary, but for the sixteen other men who fought with him in that horrendous battle. I say he also wears it to show that battles are fought on many fronts, and in doing so he illustrates that being brave and resilient in life is truly a soldiers story.

Its a story worth reading and a life worth remembering. For all of us in life, regardless of our station, circumstances, or position, our most important responsibility is to be a good role model for others to follow. Parents especially are charged with this responsibility. Bennie Adkins has been an exceptional role model to all in every phase of his life. The highest compliment.

Chuck Hagel

Former Secretary of Defense and Senator from Nebraska

February 2018