Maritime Commission. For distinguished service beyond the line of duty. His ship was docked at a North African port [Bone, Algeria] delivering her cargo of war material--among which was 6, tons of high octane gasoline in barrels--when the port was attacked by seventeen enemy bombing planes.
Two anti-personnel bombs struck the dock close to the port quarter of the ship, and fragments of these bombs pierced two holds containing the gasoline. Immediately fires were started between decks, and terrific explosions sprayed burning fuel over half the ship.
The crew fought the fires for forty-five minutes, but, in spite of their heroic efforts, the flames were soon rising two hundred feet into the air. Only when the fire was obviously beyond control with the limited means at hand, and it was apparent that to stay longer aboard would result in possible sacrifice of his crew, did Captain Adams reluctantly order abandon ship.
Shortly thereafter, fire boats and shore fire-fighting equipment arrived, and he, with a small party of volunteers from his crew, re-boarded the flaming ship in an attempt to control the fire with foamite. Although their lives were at stake every moment, he and his gallant men fought the fire for six hours eventually saving their ship and half of its vital cargo. His indomitable determination to save his ship and its cargo, and his courageous and efficient leadership, were in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.
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Adams lived in Houston TX. Photo: Who's Who in the Maritime Industry. George B. For heroism above and beyond the call of duty. A torpedo struck the stern of his ship demolishing the rudder and propeller, blowing the steering engine through the top of the after house, and wrecking the crew's quarters. He formed a rescue party which, while the ship was sinking, went aft into the wreckage of the crew's quarters below the main deck and carried out five injured men trapped in the wreckage.
