Then-Cpl. Adams and his squad were traveling toward Husaybah, Iraq, on Jan. 6, 2005, to provide cover for a Marine reconnaissance unit that was scouting the area. As the convoy was traveling toward a roadway in the city of Husaybah dubbed the “intersection of death,” insurgents attacked, using RPGs and machine guns.

 

Adams' Humvee crashed, stranding its occupants in the line of fire. Adams immediately jumped out of the vehicle and took up a safer location to help the rest of the squad return fire as other Marines worked to dislodge the Humvee.

 

Once the vehicle was freed, Adams and his squad began searching the area for other broken-down Humvees and injured comrades as insurgents continued their attack. They spotted a disabled Humvee and went over to help.

 

Suddenly, a RPG struck Adams' vehicle, killing one Marine and injuring others. Adams was also hit – his left arm and both hands had shrapnel wounds, his right arm was broken, and he had a sprained ankle. But Adams didn't have time to think about his injuries or the pain; he had to quickly scramble out of the burning vehicle and assess the situation.

 

After leading his squad to a safer location, Adams realized he was missing a Marine. Adams took off running through the line of fire, back toward the burning vehicle. He located the missing Marine and realized he had died in the attack. Grabbing his body, he ran back through the hail of enemy gunfire with the recovered Marine's body.

 

Adams refused medical attention for his injuries until he and all of his Marines had arrived safely back at headquarters. For his bravery, Adams was awarded the Silver Star on April 17, 2006.