CPL Hall was 20 years old when he paid the ultimate sacrifice.
When his unit was overwhelmed in Vietnam, Army 2nd Lt. Harold B. Durham Jr. courageously called in artillery fire on the enemy to protect his fellow soldiers. Though he didn’t survive, his bravery was recounted by the men who were there with him.
PFC Donald Wayne Adkins served with 2nd Platoon, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army.
With two M-16 rifles and several hand grenades, he launched a one-man assault on the enemy positions, using suppressive fire to cover his approach.
Despite relentless heavy artillery fire and the loss or severe injury of his entire crew, Chief Etchberger, with minimal combat training, held off the enemy with an M-16.
When his group came under heavy fire from members of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group who had defected to the enemy, Adkins left the camp to evacuate a severely wounded American, all while covering the rescue under fire.