Staff Sergeant Millard Dewitt Adams, 22, of Science Hill, Pulaski County, Kentucky was killed in combat with his unit, B Company, 1-149th Infantry on 10 December 1944 on Leyte Island in the Philippines. The 149th was taking part in operations to defeat a Japanese offensive to retake Buri airstrip. He was reportedly killed by an enemy sniper.
Adams enlisted at Somerset, Kentucky on 8 November 1939, with Company B, 149th Infantry, Kentucky National Guard. He was living at Bethelridge, Casey County, Kentucky, at the time of enlistment and listed his civilian occupation as student. Adams was inducted into federal service with his unit on 6 January 1941. Adams cousin, Delmar Adams (P2, C1, L1), was also killed in this engagement while serving with B Company on 9 December 1944.
Adams is buried in the Science Hill Cemetery, Science Hill, Pulaski County, Kentucky.
While no definitive information has been found it is believed that the following members of the Kentucky National Guard perished during this engagement in addition to Adams: Edward Stewart Co A, 1-149th 7 December; Willie Alley Co C, 1-149th 8 December; Fred Henson Co C, 1-149th 8 December; Delmar Adams Co B, 1-149th 9 December and Warren Stambaugh HQ Co, 2-149th 10 December.