WAR LEGACY TAKES FLIGHT BY RON SMITHFIELD
Hometown Hero Makes Modern Connections
How did a discovery in a cluttered attic result in connections between the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, Greenwood Cemetery, the Montgomery County Archives and far-flung cousins? After the death of Ann Adkins’ mother Irene in 2016, she moved back to Clarksville and started cleaning out the family home on Dotsonville Road. Among years of forgotten clothes, scrapbooks and numerous other possessions, she found one very special box that changed her life and renewed longdormant relationships. What was in that big box? A collection of artifacts belonging to Lieutenant Colonel Frank Edward Adkins, the most decorated Montgomery County resident to have served in World War II. The discovery brought together a number of Frank’s surviving relatives, myself included. The Adkins Cousins had long been scattered across different states, but Frank’s legacy has been a catalyst to renew these distant family relationships and to honor his heroic service to our country. "I was fortunate to have found the box of Uncle Frank's documents and memorabilia, which I had no idea existed,” explained Ann. “The Adkins Cousins met and the consensus was to donate the items to the Museum and the Archives.” At about the same time, LTC Adkins was chosen by Greenwood Cemetery’s Veterans Memorial Committee to represent all veterans with a plaque in the Veterans Garden. For years, Greenwood Cemetery Secretary-Treasurer Paul Schaaf wanted to identify one decorated veteran to act as a symbol for all who have served.
AN ACE IN THE SKY
ABOVE: LTC Frank Adkins poses for a photo with a P-47 fighter plane during World War II. Archives Collection, Customs House Museum & Cultural Center RIGHT: The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. Museum Collection, Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
12 / SECOND & COMMERCE
Frank Adkins was born and raised in Montgomery County. From an early age, his mother said he dreamed of flying. He was an all-American boy who played baseball and football at Clarksville High School, where he graduated in 1934. He attended Austin Peay Normal School as an Air Cadet and trained under Flight Instructor Frank Knapp and Colonel John Outlaw, namesake of Outlaw Field at the Clarksville Regional Airport.