Robert William Adams was born on October 2, 1914, in Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He was the son of William Joseph Adams and Bridget Agnes Howley Adams. He enlisted in the service on December 5, 1940. He served in the 27th Bombardment Group as a Private First Class during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, PFC Adams was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

PFC Adams was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on June 21, 1942, due to malaria. He is now buried in the Saint Bridgets Cemetery, Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.livescience.com