Rodney Adams
(1916-2009)
Rodney Homer Adams was born on November 24, 1916, in Newport, Maine, and served as a Motor Machinist's Mate 1st Class (MoMM1c) in the US Navy during WWII. He entered service on December 3, 1942, and was attached to PT Boat Squadrons 3 and 10 in the South Pacific.
A PT boat, short for patrol torpedo boat, was a small, fast, and inexpensive torpedo-armed surface vessel. It was valued for its maneuverability and speed but hampered by ineffective torpedoes, limited armament, and fragile construction. PT Boats were used as ambush vessels, escorts for other ships, transport for commando operations, as well as protection for troops during amphibious landings.
Adams’ first assignment was onboard PT-59, commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy. Kennedy took command of PT-59 in September 1943, choosing to stay and fight in the Pacific Theater after his previous boat, PT-109, was rammed and sunk by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri. Lieutenant Kennedy would become President of the United States in 1960.
Aboard PT-59, Adams saw combat in the Solomon Islands and participated in a number of missions during his time serving under JFK. When PT-59 was sent back to the US for repairs, Adams was attached to PT 171 under a new commander and saw combat in the New Guinea campaign.
These artifacts are from Rodney Adams’ service in WWII and were generously donated to The Traveling Museum of WWII by his family. They include his original dog tag, PT boat badge, sleeve rate, documents and photographs, as well as PT Boat and Squadron reunion patches. One of the most personal items is a heart shaped Navy locket with Rodney’s picture inside which his mother wore while he served overseas.
Motor Machinist's Mate 1st Class Adams passed away on January 6, 2009, at the age of 92.
