Louis M. Adams
After serving in Korean War, Adams served
community
Retired MPS teacher helped to break racial
barriers
Photo courtesy
of Tom Barndum
The Rev. Ken
Leidel (left) and Louis Adams take in this month’s Veterans Day Parade. Adams
was a Purple Heart recipient.
Louie Adams spent a lifetime just doing what he thought was important.
He served with the U.S. Army in Korea, part of the 2nd
Ranger Infantry Company, an airborne unit of black soldiers who helped break
down racial barriers during the Korean War.
He came home and became a teacher, serving in the
Milwaukee schools until retirement.
He became an active volunteer and veteran, involved in
all kinds of groups and community service.
"He's a perfect example of a veteran leader,"
said John A. Scocos, secretary for Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.
"He's an example of someone coming back from war and becoming a great community
leader, too."
Louis M. Adams died Wednesday, probably as a result of
complications of diabetes. He was 80. Just days before his death, he proudly
marched in Milwaukee's annual Veterans Day Parade and volunteered with his
church's meal program.
Adams was born and raised in Hamlet, N.C. He became part
of military history as a member of the Rangers company. A book about the
company - "The U.S. Army's First, Last and Only All-Black Rangers" -
was written by veteran member Edward L. Posey and published this year.
"They were an elite fighting unit," Scocos
said. "They became known for unconventional fighting, parachuting behind
enemy lines and raids on Chinese units, and conventional fighting when it was
needed.
"I think the veterans' community as a whole mourns
the loss of Mr. Adams," he said.
Adams, a Purple Heart recipient, didn't talk much about
those battles, though he did share some memories for a Veterans Affairs column
in 2007.
"It was Hill 581," he said. Human waves of
Chinese troops kept coming and the Rangers lost that hill.
They later retook it against all odds.
"We had less than half our company," Adams
said. "But we were Rangers. We thought we could do anything."
Kevin Kavanaugh, past commander of the Wisconsin Military
Order of the Purple Heart, recalled asking Adams to make school visits with
him.
"He never talked about what he did in Korea, but he
would come when we visited grade schools, mainly in Cudahy, where I'm
from," Kavanaugh said.
"You could tell he was comfortable talking to
kids," he said. "He would talk about paying attention in school and
working hard. He talked like a grandpa to all of them."
Returning to the United States, Adams earned a bachelor's
degree and later two master's degrees. By the 1960s, he was teaching math and
science in the Milwaukee Public Schools.
One parent/teacher conference proved especially
memorable. The former Doris Lenior came to the conference to talk with her
daughter's algebra teacher.
"They married in 1970, and then I came along,"
said daughter Tracy Adams.
After Doris Adams' death in 1983, he became more active
with veterans groups. At a reunion of his old unit, he discovered fellow
Rangers who he thought had been killed.
With retirement from Fulton Middle School in 1988, Adams
became more involved in volunteer work, including at St. Mary's Hospital, the
Red Cross, the Salvation Army and at meal programs.
"He was never one to really boast or brag about
himself," his daughter said, "so all these things that he's done are
just starting to come out. He was loving and caring, happy and smiley. He gave
and worked effortlessly to make sure everyone had whatever they needed."
Other survivors include grandchildren and friend Maxine
Taylor.
Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. Tuesday until the
service at 10 a.m., both at All Saints Catholic Church, 4060 N. 26th St.