SEARCHING FOR BROTHERHOOD: Tri-War veteran seeks contact with other veterans

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INGLESIDE, Texas (KRIS) — It’s not every day you meet someone who has served in the military for three decades and three wars. That rare encounter is why an Ingleside veteran wants to share his story.

Andrew Adams Jr. has years of memories collected in several photo albums. If you were to visit him, he could recall a memorable moment in his life by pulling out any item from his collection of plaques and certificates. They are proudly displayed throughout his Ingleside home.

Andrew’s collection reflects a fulfilled life and his 32 years of military service in significant phases of conflict.

“I thought this was the right thing to do. My two brothers were there, all my friends, cousins ​​and relatives were there. So I thought I would do my part,” he said.

He served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He joined the Army at age 18, just before the end of World War II.

“The first time I was there, they were preparing us for a million-strong march to Japan, and I only had three weeks of basic training,” he explained. “About a month later, they were dropping bombs on Japan. And I think that really saved my back.”

His military experience puts him in a relatively small group. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Korean War veterans make up nearly 16 percent of the total 24.4 million veterans, and only 171,000 of them served in both World War II and Vietnam.

Although Andrew never served on the front lines, he says he had to deal with rough seas. He vividly remembers a near-disaster during the Korean War when bombs exploded around his ship. The stress was compounded by the time he spent away from home, especially after he got married and started a family.

“We got married in 1954. I got out in 1967, that was 13 years. She was raising a family and I was at sea,” Andrew said.

For many years, Andrew and his wife Annette were oceans apart, but their love and connection were as deep as the ocean.

“She took care of my business for me and did a great job,” he smiled.

Annette passed away two years ago, but Andrew’s heart remains full of fond memories and pride, knowing that her legacy lives on in his five children and grandchildren, several of whom also served in the military.

Currently, Andrew is looking for someone who served in three wars to share stories with. With the number of WWII veterans dwindling, he hopes to connect with one of his colleagues soon.

“We could exchange war stories, seafaring stories. Whatever. I’d just like to meet up with some guys my age who were in the war,” says Andrew.

You can contact Andrew Adams Jr. at (361)-523-1769.

More Veterans In Focus stories and resources for local veterans are available here.

Contact Veterans In Focus reporter Michelle Lorenzo at [email protected]

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