He had enlisted in the Army was in the 1940 Census living in Fort Lewis, Washington as a CPL in the same regiment he served in during the war. Served during World War II. He had the rank of Captain. Service number was 2055887. Served with 3rd Infantry Division, 15th Infantry Regiment. Received 3 Silver Stars, 1 Bronze Star, 1 Soldiers Medal and 1 Purple Heart.
At about midnight on January 2nd Company E and F of the 15th Infantry Regiment attacked south along the eastern slopes of Hill 216 intent to clear the hill and the area south of the Weiss River. The 30th Infantry Division assisted in the attack by sending out three strong combat patrols with artillery support.
Company E of the 15th Infantry met heavy resistance at a road curve northeast of the hill and suffered heavy casualties when the enemy a searing defense with machine guns, panzerfaust, small arms, mortars and hand grenades. The attack originally scheduled as a strong raid supported by tanks quickly turned into a bloody full scale paitched engagement. Two of the supporting tanks were almost immediately destroyed either by panzerfaust or antitank fire as they crossed the rise of the crest and the Company commander Charles E. Adams went forward to supervise his men personally. While he was moving forward he stepped in a hole in which there was a enemy soldier who immediately shot and killed him.
Source: History Of The Third Infantry Division In World War II
by United States. Army. 3rd Division; Taggart, Donald G. (Donald Gilbert)

Silver Star
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain (Infantry) Charles E. Adams (ASN: 0-2055887), United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company L, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 9 (1944)

Action Date: World War II

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Company: Company L

Regiment: 15th Infantry Regiment

Division: 3d Infantry Division .
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Silver Star

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain (Infantry) Charles E. Adams (ASN: 0-2055887), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company L, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, on October 27, 1944 in La Bourgonce, France.
General Orders: History of the 3d Infantry Division in World War II (Donald G. Taggart - Editor)

Action Date: October 27, 1944

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Company: Company L

Regiment: 15th Infantry Regiment

Division: 3d Infantry Division .
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Silver Star
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain (Infantry) Charles E. Adams (ASN: 0-2055887), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company L, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, during World War II.
General Orders: History of the 3d Infantry Division in World War II (Donald G. Taggart - Editor)

Action Date: World War II

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Company: Company L

Regiment: 15th Infantry Regiment

Division: 3d Infantry Division .
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Soldier's Medal

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain (Infantry) Charles E. Adams (ASN: 0-2055887), United States Army, was awarded the Soldier's Medal for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy during World War II.
Action Date: World War II

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Company: Company L

Regiment: 15th Infantry Regiment

Division: 3d Infantry Division .