#205—It’s Become an Obsession

Andy Adkins

Professor Google defines “obsession,” as “an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.”

Yep—no doubt, that’s what this project has become.

I’m talking about my new book project … the one about 48 men from Alachua County, Florida who died while in service during the Vietnam War.

The working title is: The ‘Nam “AC-48”.

I first learned about these men while attending this past year’s (2025) Memorial Day service held at the Forest Meadows Cemetery by the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. I’d heard about the poster that the president, Forest Hope, had created, helping to memorialize these men.

But this … this was the first time I’d seen the two posters. It made an impact on me. These men were from my town and surrounding areas, went to the same high schools as my generation did, and then went off to a war.

Putting faces to names was … well, very moving, to say the least.

Regardless, seeing this poster of men made me think of creating a small booklet. Something simple and tangible that could be handed out to those who might have an interest in learning more about the men from Alachua County who died during the Vietnam War.

As Forest so eloquently stated, “To keep the memories alive.”

And So, My Journey Began

I didn’t know any of them … but I can tell you after working on this project, they’ve definitely made an impact on me.

My original idea was to simply reprint the basic photos and info from the poster for each man… and maybe add a few additional items I may find.

I’ve written several books, self-published a few of them, so I knew the routine and methodology. This project should only take a few months … right!

Then, I began my research. Did I mention I love the research as much as the writing?

The Research

Did I mention I’d been researching WWII soldiers for 20+ years, built the 80th Division Veterans Association website (www.80thdivision.com), and added 200,000+ pages of information, including Morning Reports (July 1942–May 1945), After-Action Reports, Unit Histories, Miscellaneous Reports, Oral Histories, and Photo Collections?

And I continue to do so as we speak. I’ve probably researched more than 500 men for families of 80th Division WWII (and WWI) veterans.

Why?

Two reasons: because my dad, A. Z. Adkins, Jr., served with the 80th Division (317th Infantry Regiment, Company H, 2d Battalion) AND because I can. I began this website project while working at the UF Levin College of Law in 2005. I was the IT Director at the time and had access to a computer with a microfiche reader.

It’s an obsession, but it’s also a passion.

So, I’ve got a little research experience. But this project—this Vietnam War project—is a bit beyond my WWII prior research.

A Different Kind of Research

For this Vietnam project, I tackled my usual sites:

These sites gave me a little more info about their individual military service, and a little from those who posted memories to the Wall of Faces. Some of these tributes were very touching. These men obviously made an impact on those who served with them.

I wanted to know more about these men before they went off to war. Where did they grow up? Where did they go to high school? Did they participate in any high school activities? When did they graduate?

So, I turned to additional resources:

I also tried to locate family members. This was probably the hardest task: how to someone to reach back fifty-plus years and relive memories they may not want to revisit? And … with a total stranger.

I wouldn’t know unless I tried.

Facebook, LinkedIn, and Ancestry were my “go-tos.” I found a lot of potentials and reached out on a whim, not knowing if there was a connection or not. Several folks responded to my private message with a “sorry, no relation.” Others didn’t respond at all, which I fully understand. I mean, I’m not sure I’d respond to a stranger’s unsolicited inquiry through social media.

But …

There were others that not only indicated they were related family members, but they were appreciative of this effort. I received photos, memoirs, citations, letters, and other details that I would never have been able to find from any of these online resources.

I’ll admit … there were a few times when I had to get up and go outside for a little quiet time, my eyes were watery, and my thoughts diverted to the individuals … not just this project.

The Personalized “Tidbits”

There are those small snippets of these men when they were younger, before heading off to that dreadful war. 

  • The jazz musician who was so good—with so much energy—that he asked the club’s owner if he could nail his bass drum to the floor to keep it from tumbling off the stage.
  • The uncle, who never wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings, that when his niece—who’d just earned her driver’s license—came to pick him up after returning from basic training. Her driving made him a little nervous, so instead of telling her she had more to learn, he asked if he could drive the car because it had been so long since he’d been behind the wheel.
  • The future officer who stated in the high school yearbook’s “As Foretold by Seniors” section, he would be the “Commanding General at West Point.”
  • The FFA student president who had the entire class laughing whenever he talked about his cows.
  • The three-war soldier who first lied about his age to join the Army in World War II.
  • The high school track star who won the state title for high hurdles.
  • The young man who, along with his brother, helped his grandfather on his farm, driving tractors when they were only 12 years old.
  • The high schooler, along with his best friend who joined the Marines at the same time, worked at the local drive-in theater … to see a lot of free movies.
  • The young pilot who wrote a poem and sent it to his mother to give to his wife should he not return from the war.

These courageous men who went off to a war, never to return, but left lasting memories that helped us get through the tough times. The men who will remain in our hearts and souls until we meet again. 

Winding Down

Having never stepped foot in Vietnam, I had trepidation about tackling this project. Even though I had spent 4 years in the Navy, (‘73-77) most of which was as an aircraft crash firefighter on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk, I’d seen my share of events I’d rather not remember, but will never forget because they are laser-etched into my memory.

Yet I knew, with the help of those who had spent time in country, I might have a chance of pulling this off. 

What started as a 50-page booklet has now turned into a 120+ page tribute to honor these men who gave their all.

Yeah … it’s definitely an obsession. I only hope that I get it right.

Until we meet again,
Andy

Andy Adkins (2022)

Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books (www.azadkinsiii.com), many of which are free downloads (PDF, eBook format). He is currently retired and lives in Gainesville, Florida with his wife and life-long soulmate, Becky.

4 thoughts on “#205—It’s Become an Obsession”

  2. We, sir, are twin sons from different mothers. I too am 3rd generation prior service Amy (‘79- 95). My current project is somewhat similar to yours- identifying and writing short biographies of the 15 men who my grandfather commanded as part of his Counter Intelligence Corps team in wwii. I too have reached to families, with much the same experience as you. But it is rewarding to me to learn of these men. Unlike your stories, all of these men made it home. But they were still away from their families for almost 2 years.

    Thank you for your work. Keeping their memory alive is the best we can do for them!

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