World War II Honoree

Sofia Adamson

Hometown

Pocatello, Idaho

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

IN 1941 SHE WAS A UNIVERSITY DEAN IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WHEN TWO U.S. ARMY MAJORS RECRUITED HER TO WORK FOR GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR. AT HEADQUARTERS, SHE SAT A FEW FEET FROM MACARTHUR'S OFFICE, PERFORMING A VITAL SERVICE: HE GAVE ORDERS TO THE TROOPS. SHE TYPED THEM UP. BUT WITH THE JAPANESE OVERPOWERING U.S. AND FILIPINO SOLDIERS AND THE CAPTURE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS IMMINENT, MACARTHUR FLED TO AUSTRALIA. SHE REMAINED AND ENDURED THREE YEARS OF JAPANESE OCCUPATION. IN 1945, WHEN AMERICAN TROOPS RETURNED TO LIBERATE MANILA, SHE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED BY 'FRIENDLY FIRE', INJURIES THAT LED TO THE AWARDING OF A PURPLE HEART MORE THAN 50 YEARS LATER.