Seaman (E3) Adams was a crew member of the fleet flagship USS Eldorado (AGC-11). He suffered a subarachroid hemorrhage (stroke) and was evacuated to the hospital ship USS Haven (AH-12) where he died on 27 February 1953.

Adams was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.