6 minute read
WAR LEGACY TAKES FLIGHT: Hometown Hero Makes Modern Connections
WAR LEGACY TAKES FLIGHT
Hometown Hero Makes Modern Connections
BY RON SMITHFIELD
LTC Frank Adkins poses for a photo with a P-47 fighter plane during World War II.
Archives Collection, Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
How did a discovery in a cluttered attic result in connections between the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, Greenwood Cemetery, the Montgomery County Archives and far-flung cousins?
After the death of Ann Adkins’ mother Irene in 2016, she moved back to Clarksville and started cleaning out the family home on Dotsonville Road. Among years of forgotten clothes, scrapbooks and numerous other possessions, she found one very special box that changed her life and renewed longdormant relationships.
What was in that big box? A collection of artifacts belonging to Lieutenant Colonel Frank Edward Adkins, the most decorated Montgomery County resident to have served in World War II. The discovery brought together a number of Frank’s surviving relatives, myself included. The Adkins Cousins had long been scattered across different states, but Frank’s legacy has been a catalyst to renew these distant family relationships and to honor his heroic service to our country.
"I was fortunate to have found the box of Uncle Frank's documents and memorabilia, which I had no idea existed,” explained Ann. “The Adkins Cousins met and the consensus was to donate the items to the Museum and the Archives.”
At about the same time, LTC Adkins was chosen by Greenwood Cemetery’s Veterans Memorial Committee to represent all veterans with a plaque in the Veterans Garden. For years, Greenwood Cemetery Secretary-Treasurer Paul Schaaf wanted to identify one decorated veteran to act as a symbol for all who have served.
AN ACE IN THE SKY
Frank Adkins was born and raised in Montgomery County. From an early age, his mother said he dreamed of flying. He was an all-American boy who played baseball and football at Clarksville High School, where he graduated in 1934. He attended Austin Peay Normal School as an Air Cadet and trained under Flight Instructor Frank Knapp and Colonel John Outlaw, namesake of Outlaw Field at the Clarksville Regional Airport.
The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces.
Museum Collection, Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
Frank volunteered for the Army Air Corps in November 1940 and trained as a fighter pilot at Kelly Field in Texas. Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, Frank flew the defense of the west coast to protect against an expected Japanese attack. Only 10 days after Pearl Harbor, Frank was shipped out to the South Pacific. Out of 55 pilots shipped, Frank was one of fewer than half who survived the first year of the war.
His first combat action was in defending the Dutch island of Java. While strafing the Japanese troops landing on the Java coast, he was shot down, bailed out behind Japanese lines, used a native bicycle and escaped to safety with three very close calls. For this and other heroic actions, Frank was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Douglas MacArthur, the nation’s second highest honor. While seeing combat in New Guinea, where he shot down three enemy Zeros, Frank was also awarded the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Frank was welcomed as a hometown hero with a parade in Downtown Clarksville on November 2, 1942, with thousands in attendance. He spoke to the huge crowd from atop the Capitol Theater marquee on Franklin Street and gave credit to “Others that were there. I was lucky.”
Posters like this one welcomed LTC Adkins back to Clarksville in November 1942.
Archives Collection, Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
LTC Frank Adkins (third from right) with other U.S. Army Officers, ca. 1942.
Archives Collection, Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
Shortly after the D-Day invasion, Frank shot down two German ME- 109s to achieve Ace Pilot status. On July 30, 1944, Frank was leading a squadron of P-47s when, out of ammunition, he scattered a flight of German planes to protect a fellow pilot, for which he was awarded his second Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary courage. He also received a total of 15 Air Medals during his flying career.
Tragically, on February 23, 1945, he was killed in a training accident while flying a P-38 at high altitude and crashed near Freeport, Texas. LTC Frank Adkins was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery on March 3, 1945, in one of the largest funerals in Clarksville’s history, with reportedly about 3,000 people in attendance or on the route. It was a very sad day for his family and all of Clarksville to lose their hometown hero.
21ST CENTURY FAMILY TIES
Frank’s nephew, Dean Matthews, grew up hearing of Frank’s service and heroism. He later joined the Navy and became a Navy SEAL. Dean served our country for over 30 years, including two tours in Vietnam.
“As one of the last surviving relatives who physically met my uncle LTC Frank Adkins, I have vivid memories of his heroic endeavors as told by my mother Barbara and other relatives,” said Dean. “He was known as the family hero, as well as Clarksville’s hero, of World War II.”
-Shelley Keheley Baluch
Frank’s last surviving sister, Margaret Adkins Keheley, died last year at age 99 in South Carolina. Two of her daughters, Shelley Keheley Baluch and Paula Keheley, traveled to Clarksville to view the Museum’s artifacts, adding to the collection with a few pictures and a dollar bill found in Frank’s billfold when he crashed.
“My mother often spoke of Frank's good looks, valor and bravery. I don't believe that she ever fully recovered from his early death,” said Shelley. “My mother passed away this past September, just two months shy of turning 100. ‘Legacy’ now means more to me than ever, and I am proud that LTC Adkins is a part of mine.”
In October 2020, Greenwood Cemetery dedicated a memorial to LTC Adkins, and all the veterans he continues to represent. The Adkins Cousins raised funds to place a large tablet on Frank’s grave to tell the story of his service in World War II for future generations. Thanks to the discovery in her mother’s attic, Ann Adkins was inspired to volunteer at the Montgomery County Archives to help preserve local records.
“The best outcome was uniting and reconnecting our cousin relationship,” said Ann. "We share memories and stories of growing up, as well as appreciate our wonderful common bond."
What treasures might be hiding in your attic? Those discoveries are the key to preserving our local history.
The Adkins Cousins examine some of the artifacts found in Irene Adkins’ attic. From left: David Smithfield, Dean Matthews, Ron Smithfield, Ann Adkins and Frances Dozier
Courtesy of the Adkins Family
A selection of these artifacts and photographs will be available to view in the exhibit Remembering Frank Adkins, on display at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center from April 20 to June 26.
greenwoodcemeteryinc.com
mcgtn.org/archives
