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Cenotaph record

John Leonard Adams

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Plaque at Ruru Lawn Cemetery

Cpl. John Leonard Adans

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    John Leonard AWMM
  • Surname
    Adams AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
    J. L. Adams AWMM
  • Service number
    Vietnam 41444 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    22 November 1944 AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
  • Relationship status

Service

Wars and conflicts

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Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      NZ Gazette Number 29 dated 29 March 1972 CITATION Lance Corporal John Adams joined the New Zealand Army on 1st September, 1969 and was posted to the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. He joined 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment/New Zealand (ANZAC), in South Vietnam on 7th May, 1971 as a member of Victor Six Company. On 25th June19711, in Phuoc Tuy Province, Lance Corporal Adams’ platoon, supported by tanks and armoured personnel carriers, attacked a heavily defended bunker system occupied by 1st Battalion, 274 Regiment. A tank close to Lance Corporal Adams was struck by enemy rocket fire causing all three members of the crew to become casualties. Displaying outstanding initiative, Lance Corporal Adams led a party to extract the wounded from the crippled tank and despite intense and accurate enemy fire which was being directed at him, he mounted the tank to give further guidance to his men and encouragement to the wounded. Lance Corporal Adams then arranged the evacuation of the wounded by helicopter. Lance Corporal Adams’ initiative, courage and leadership contributed significantly to the outcome of the battle and undoubtedly saved the life of at least one member of the tank crew. His actions since this occasion have been of the same high standard and reflect great credit upon himself, his Regiment and the New Zealand Army. 1 AWMM
    • General Service Medal 1962 (Borneo clasp) AWMM
    • New Zealand Operational Service Medal AWMM
    • Vietnam Medal AWMM
    • Military Medal = 1 Platoon, Victor 6 Company Public - Roscoe - Comrade - 27 August 2017 - NZ Gazette 29 March 1972 & http://www.vietnamwar.govt.nz

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Read citation for MM. Died and buried in Christchurch. Arrived 7 May 1971, departed 10 Dec 1971 AWMM

Death

About death

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  • Death
    24 January 2013 AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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  • Remembering you this Anzac Day 2023. Thank you for your service John. RIP.

    LEST WE FORGET.
    Public - Marlene May - 25 April 2023
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  • Anzac Day 2022. Remembering you today with fondness John. You never really got the recognition for all that you did and sacrificed, but know that you are remembered with love and gratitude. Thank you for your service. Rest In Peace.

    Marlene
    Public - Marlene May - Friend - 27 April 2022
    Report 
  • 41444 John Leonard ADAMS-MM [MV, BV] (1 Platoon, Bravo Coy 1970 = Victor 6 Company 1971) Posted to Nee Soon and RTNZ from Dieppe N70/N72. 24 January 2003 aged 58. Buried at Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Raymond Rd, Christchurch 8062. Block 1I, Plot 260. [[-43.532285, 172.691088]] LEST WE FORGET
    Report 
  • https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/sunday/clips/lest-we-forget

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FqDFPJ3W_c

    During the Vietnam War three Kiwi soldiers from the Victor 6 company carried out an act of extraordinary bravery under intense enemy fire. Their brave and selfless actions saved the lives of two Australians who were critically injured when a rocket-propelled grenade fired by the Vietcong slammed into their tank. For 46 years their platoon commander has been pushing governments on both sides of the Tasman to award medals to these men but has been ignored. What’s become of those soldiers, and is it time NZ recognised the outstanding bravery of the Victor 6?

    Bill PAPUNI, Mike WILLIAMS & John GALLY...
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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Contributors

Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
25 April 2023Marlene MayChristchurch New ZealandOther
03 March 2021CarolHavelock NorthOther

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