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  • Vinson B. Adkinson Jr. stands with a picture of his son SSgt. Vinson B. Adkinson III. The latter was killed in an explosion Aug. 31, in Afghanistan. David Laughlin

    Native Son
September 12, 2010

Native Son

David Laughlin The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — “I told them I didn’t want them here,” Vinson B. Adkinson Jr. said of the two military officials who he greeted on his porch Aug. 31. Without being told, Adkinson knew why they were there. He was told that Staff Sergeant Vinson “Trinity” B. Adkinson III, his son, lost his life while serving his fifth tour-of-duty for the United States Army.

Adkinson Jr. had seen his son three months earlier while he was stateside for some rest and relaxation.

“We spent some time together a few months ago. We had a bonfire and went to the zoo,” Adkinson Jr. said. “The last time I talked to him he was in Dallas about to head back over.”

Interest in the armed forces was stoked early for the young Adkinson III. His father recalled the first toys Adkinson III played with were “G.I. Joes.”

“He played army outside, he trick or treated as an armyman,” Adkinson Jr. said. “Me and him spent a lot of time outside in the woods. He was born to be a soldier.”

When Adkinson III graduated from high school, he sought his fathers advice on what to do next with his life. Adkinson Jr. presented him with the idea of driving trucks. He told his son that he could get his truck drivers license by joining the Army. Adkinson III needed no further instruction, he heeded his father’s advise and enlisted. “I taught him to be Army from an early age,” Adkinson Jr. said.

Adkinson III’s first tour was in Iraq, his father said.

“The truck he was driving got hit with an IED (improvised explosive device),” Adkinson Jr. said. “He lost some brothers. But, he volunteered to go back. He didn’t want to drive a truck, he drove on top of the Humvee with a .50 caliber.”

Adkinson III served two more tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He served five tours overseas.

During Adkinson III’s fifth tour-of-duty, his second in Afghanistan, he lost his life when an IED exploded near his unit. Three other soldiers lost their lives in the attack: Sgt. Raymond C. Alcraz Jr., Spc. James A. Page, and Spc. Matthew E. George.

Sgt. David Shearouse, 24 of Georgia, was given the task of escorting Adkinson III’s remains home. Shearouse served with Adkinson III.

“He always wanted to take point, he wanted to be the leader,” he said of his fallen comrade. “Everybody wanted to be like him. He was a good man. I lost my friend, my brother and my hero.”

Although Adkinson Jr. is facing unexplainable anguish, he finds strength in knowing his son’s eternal home.

“I wasn’t afraid, I wasn’t expecting it,” Adkinson Jr. said. “He stands with God now and is walking on the streets of Gold.”

A full military honor burial will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Ray of Hope Church, which is south of Duncan on U.S. Highway 81. The Patriot Guard Riders will escort the procession.

A viewing will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today at Grantham’s Funeral Home. Anyone wishing to send condolences to the family can send them to PO Box 159 Comanche, Oklahoma, 73529.



— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.

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