World War II Honoree

Sammie Adkins

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Salina, Oklahoma

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private 1st Class. On November 17, 1942, he entered the United States Army at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Deployed to the European Theater of Operations, where he served with Charlie Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion, attached to the 116th Infantry Regiment a subordinate unit of the 29th Infantry 'Blue and Gray' Division. His battalion became a unit of the vast armada that participated in the invasion of Germany’s Fortress Europe, D-Day, June 6, 1944, Operation Overlord. He went ashore on Omaha Beach, Battle of Normandy with the 1st wave of troops at 0630 hours, the assault on the German Army defenses. Killed in Action on the first day of the invasion during his company’s attack on the German strong points near Pointe de la Percee and buried in the Saint Laurent Battlefield Cemetery in Baveux, France. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, they returned his remains to his family for burial, with interment in the Lost City Cemetery in Lost City, Oklahoma. This Soldier, an American Patriot so gallantly gave his life for his country.