Springfield Soldier Called American Hero

By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 4/17/03)

When Army Captain James F. Adamouski of Springfield was deployed to Kuwait three months ago, his wife Meighan knew this time "was different." As the company commander’s wife, news from the field came through her to other wives. After hearing reports that a Black Hawk helicopter from their company had gone down, Meighan was frustrated when no information was forthcoming.

"I thought it wasn’t right that they were not telling us what was happening," she said. "The wives have a right to know. Everyone knew it was someone from our area. But, I knew it was not my husband. I finally asked officials for details on Thursday afternoon. They weren’t giving me any information because it was me."

Adamouski and five of his soldiers were killed on April 2 when their Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Karbala, Iraq. The six men who died in the crash were members of Bravo Company of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, based at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Pentagon officials said they are still investigating the cause of the helicopter crash. As a Black Hawk pilot, Adamouski logged more than 1,000 hours. According to his father, Frank Adamouski, 63, he was not piloting when the crash occurred.

The 29-year-old captain is survived by his wife Meighan, parents Judith and Frank Adamouski, and three sisters, Karen Marion, Laura Griffith and Jaclyn Adamouski.

When the Adamouski’s learned of their son’s death on April 3, they flew to Savannah, Ga., to be with their daughter-in-law Meighan.

Since returning to Springfield with Meighan on April 6, the Adamouski clan has received a steady stream of visitors, phone calls from friends and strangers alike and has hosted numerous reporters.

Considered by many to be an American hero, "Jimmy" Adamouski influenced more lives than his wife, parents and siblings every dreamed.

"He did not even have to go this time," said Meighan, 29. "He was supposed to be re-assigned just before their deployment three months ago. But, he could not leave his men. So many wives told me how much better they felt knowing Jimmy was commander."

"Jimmy made an impact on so many lives," said his mother, Judith Adamouski, 56. "We had no idea how many people he touched in his 29 years. Even people who did not know him are hearing about his life and calling us."

The only son, Adamouski was the third of four children. He was a member of Nativity Parish in Springfield as a youth and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1991. He attended West Point Academy, where he is remembered as one of three "Distinguished Graduates" in the history of the school.

"Everyone knew him and loved him. He always did what was right. Jimmy was a joker, an ordinary kind of guy. He could talk to anyone," said Laura Griffith, his younger sister. "He was accomplished but very humble."

A scholar and an athlete, Adamouski was an avid soccer player and played on a semi- professional team during his first tour in Germany.

On the evening before his first of three deployments to Bosnia in December, 1997, Griffith arranged for her brother to meet Meighan.

"I went home that night thinking ‘I will be Mrs. Adamouski one day, ’" Meighan said. Although Jimmy and Meighan attended the same high school, they were only acquaintances and did not share the same circle of friends. After corresponding for 19 months, Meighan and Jimmy were married in August 2002.

Raised Catholic, Adamouski witnessed his faith by his life. Meighan, herself a convert to Catholicism, "knew how important the Faith was to Jimmy" and sought instruction while Jimmy was away. "I saw what he had and I wanted to learn more about it," she said.

During his third deployment in Bosnia, he became an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. Noted for his ability to befriend anybody and everybody, Meighan said he made a habit when he was deployed of attending services with his non-Catholic friends in addition to Catholic services.

"He wanted to know what his friends believed," she said.

While in Kosovo, Meighan said his happiest moments were distributing candy from his care packages to children who lived in the tent villages.

"Seeing the suffering that people endured was difficult for him," Meighan said. "He was really a very compassionate man who wanted to make a difference."

In his last letter home, Adamouski wrote, "Mom, I think your prayers have been answered to an extent. I am providing Catholic services here in camp. I pray, read scripture and distribute Communion on a regular basis to the Catholics because no priest is available out here at the moment. My ISG says I missed my calling and calls me Father Jimmy."

The day of the crash, Adamouski's takeoff had been delayed about an hour by some mechanical problems. He was cheered that day by an e-mail message he received from his wife shortly before takeoff. His soldiers told the Adamouskis that Jimmy’s face lit up after he read the e-mail. "God, it's good to hear from home," he said.

In his last e-mail message to his wife March 30, Adamouski said he couldn't wait for the war to end so he could come home.

Although he described conditions as "about as difficult as it can get," he said he was "doing fine."

"We need to celebrate his life," said Frank, a Vietnam veteran. "He is somebody who made a difference. His life will continue to make a difference. He is a good role model for young people." 

The family asked that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society's Central Virginia Chapter. It can be reached at 804/353-5008. Adamouski's sister, Laurie Griffith, suffers from multiple sclerosis. 

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