Clarence Adams III

Specialist, U.S. Army

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Clarence Adams III was born on 16 September 1976 in Richmond, VA. Adams was a star running back in high school. He went to Virginia Union University on a partial athletic scholarship and joined the U.S. Army to help pay for the rest of his education. He was deployed to Kosovo twice and was based at Fort Hood, TX.

Clarence, who loved Cheese Nips and Slim Jims, was the kind of guy who always made time to phone a younger sibling. "He would tell me never to stoop to a low level, to always carry myself with respect," said his brother, Mykale Adams. "He was always looking out for me, no matter where he was."

"He was a true soldier," said his father, Clarence Adams Jr. "He wanted to do right, he wanted to make a difference in the world, and that's why he went." His oldest daughter, Indya, 8, agreed: "He always thought of others before himself. He loved you no matter what."

Death and Burial

Specialist Clarence Adams III was killed in action on 7 September 2004 when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb near Baghdad. He died the day after his birthday, which he shared with twin sister Pamela, a doctoral student. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond, VA.

He is survived by his wife, Tanja, and five other children, Aaron, LaShawndra, Oshea, Savannah and Asya.