My brother John, who was 5 years old at the time, remembered this time in 2007, writing to his son Martin Adams, a major in the U.S. Army.

"I woke up thinking today about D-Day. I was 5 years old. I always remember my Uncle Joe (dad's brother) stopping to see us around Christmas, 1943. He had been on leave to visit his family in New Richland before shipping out. It was mid-evening and we kids were ready for bed.

"He sat in the stuffed chair in the southeast corner of the living room, next to the fireplace. He was wearing his uniform. I remember it vividly. The mood was sober but unsentimental. We were all fully aware of the war, and everyone's part in it—including our own.

Then Joe took the streetcar down to the Great Northern Depot, and we never saw him again. He was killed later in the fall of 1944.

Joe Adams was awarded many medals for his military service.
1) Purple Heart July 3, 1944 for wounds.
2) Purple Heart for Supreme sacrifice in defense of his country.
3) Africa-Middle East-Europe Campaign Meda- one bronze star.
4) WWII Victory Medal
5) Combat infantry war badge
6) Patton's Army killed in Germany Nov 17, 1944. Sgt. Adams (37-189-258) is buried in a U.S. Military Cemetery near St. Avold, France. The place is Timey, France. Plot H, Row 8, Grave 180. It is 50 miles east and slightly north of St. Mihiel, France. A train runs through St. Avold, France. The source of following obituary is unknown:

On December 7, 1944, the following notice was printed in the New Richland Star:

Private Joseph Adams Has Been Killed in Action in Europe

The distressing word came to the D.E. Adams family Monday evening that Pvt. Joseph Adams is missing in action somewhere in France or Germany. Joe is one of the Adams triplets, his two triplet sisters living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Previous to his induction sometime last year, Joe was a faithful employee of the New Richland Produce Company.
At 2:30 o'clock today a second telegram was received announcing that Pvt Adams was killed in action.