LAURENCE ADAMS JR., FORMER ADJUTANT GENERAL, DIES AT 76

JEFFERSON CITY -- Maj. Gen. Laurence B. Adams Jr., who retired as the Missouri National Guard's adjutant general in 1973, died Thursday, March 5, 1992, at his home in Jefferson City. He was 76.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete at Freeman Mortuary in Jefferson City.

Born and reared in Sikeston, Adams graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and served 41 years in the military including three years in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. His wife, Cathryn, is formerly of East Prairie and Cape Girardeau.

Adams began his military career in 1932 as a private in Co. K, 140th Infantry, at Sikeston. He was promoted to major during his tour in the Pacific in command of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment.

Adams' patriotism and dedication to military service started at an early age. An article on his career in the April 12, 1971, issue of the Southeast Missourian described how Adams took advantage of the opportunity to attend college with the National Guard's financial assistance.

"Larry Adams, who grew up in Sikeston where his father was a veterinarian, was one of that lean and hungry band of young men who wanted an education in the Depression `30s, and if young people today get tired of hearing about that, it was, nevertheless, a grim fact of life for many," the article said.

"Adams went into the citizens militia while in high school and when he went to college in Cape Girardeau ... did much of his drill work with the companies there."

The local drill work evidently prepared Adams well for what he faced as an officer during the Pacific campaign in World War II. It was at the struggle for the Philippines where many allied soldiers received fame for their bravery and many more were killed.

Cut off from all sources of supply, without air support, and outnumbered by five to one, the 43,000 U.S.-Filipino defenders stubbornly resisted the Japanese invaders and upset the Japanese schedule for conquest. The defense of the Philippines gained precious time for Allied war preparations.

After the war, Adams assisted in reorganization of the 140th Infantry in 1946 at headquarters in Cape Girardeau. He subsequently moved to Jefferson City, where he became deputy director of the Missouri Selective Service System.

In 1959 he was promoted to a colonel, and in 1965 was named adjutant general commander of Missouri's National Guard. Three years later Adams was promoted to major general.

Adams retired as adjutant general in 1973, at which time he received Missouri's highest medal the Meritorious Service Award. He was succeeded by Maj. Gen. Charles Kiefner of Perryville, who still holds the post.

Other honors include the Legion of Merit, one of the highest armed forces decorations for distinguished service, and the Selective Service Distinguished Service Award. He also held the Bronze Star; American Defense; American Theater; World War II Victory Medals; Combat Infantryman's Badge; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation; Philippine Liberation Ribbon; and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.