He answered the nation’s call to duty and enlisted on the 20th of May, 2003, in Nashville, Tenn., and attended Basic Combat Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Upon completion of Basic Combat Training, he was assigned to Ft. Sam Houston, Tex., where he trained as a Dental Technician. After completing his training, he attended Airborne School and was subsequently assigned to the Group Support Company, 5th Special Forces Group (AIRBORNE), Fort Campbell, Ky., in November, 2003.
Sergeant Adkins, 22, participated in Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom (OIF III and IV) as the 5th Special Forces Group Dental Technician and distinguished himself as “The Traveling Dental Technician.” He helped to provide quality dental care to U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, Iraqi military and civilians. Often he traveled in hazardous areas and lived in austere environments while helping to maintain the health of the fighting force.
At midday December 3, 2006, Sgt. Adkins died in an air accident over water near Haditha, Iraq, during an emergency landing.
Always progressing professionally, Sergeant Adkins’ military training included the Dental Technicians Course, Airborne Course, Combat Lifesaver School, Field Sanitation Course and the Special Forces Basic Combat Course Support.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Medical Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and The Joint Service Achievement Medal.
He is survived by his wife Tiffany, son Matthew, age three, daughter Atlanta, age two, mother Karen Scudder and father Richard Adkins, both of Finger, Tenn.
A memorial fund has been established. Contributions may be sent to:
Chapter 38
Special Forces Association
Casualty Fund Dustin Adkins
P.O. Box 223
Ft. Campbell, KY 42223
Photographs courtesy of CPT Robert R. Schmidt
Often he traveled in hazardous areas and lived in austere environments while helping to maintain the health of the fighting force.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Medical Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and The Joint Service Achievement Medal.