Troy alum awarded the Medal of Honor

A Troy Alumnus has been award the Medal of Honor. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins received the prestigious honor on Sept 15.

Adkins is a veteran of the U.S Army. He served three tours in Vietnam.

Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., chancellor of Troy University, said in a press release, “He is a credit to his nation’s military, a credit to Alabama and a credit to Troy University. We are very proud of his heroic and courageous action under devastating circumstances, and we are very proud that he is a Troy University Trojan.”

In 1979, Adkins earned his bachelor’s degree from Troy State University Montgomery. He received a Master’s Degree in Education in 1982 and a Master’s Degree in Management in 1988. Both Master’s Degrees were earned from Troy State University Montgomery.

“Command Sergeant Major Adkins’ courage and commitment to excellence have won him our country’s highest military honor, and we are immensely proud of this outstanding Troy University alumnus, who exemplifies our strong ties to our armed forces and veterans,”Maj. Gen. Walter D. Givhan, Troy’s senior vice chancellor for advancement and economic development, said in a press release. “He epitomizes the qualities of a true Trojan Warrior.”

He received the award for his actions against enemy forces from March 9 to March 12, 1966, when he served as an Intelligence Sergeant at Camp “A Shau”in Vietnam. Adkins engaged enemy forces in close-combat fighting for 38 hours.