Welcome to the town of Atoka
Atoka is a town in Tipton County, Tennessee. The population was 3,235 at the 2000 census. World War I Medal of Honor recipient Joseph B. Adkinson is buried there.
Joseph B. Adkinson
Joseph B. Adkison, Medal of Honor recipient
Born January 4, 1892 Egypt, Tennessee
Died May 23, 1965 (aged 73) Atoka, Tennessee
Place of burial Atoka, Tennessee
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1917-1921
Rank Sergeant
Unit 119th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Medal of Honor
Joseph Bernard Adkison (January 4, 1892 – May 23, 1965) was an American soldier serving in the U.S. Army during World War I who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
Biography
Adkison was born in Egypt, Tennessee, and entered the Army in 1917 in Memphis. By mid-1918, Adkison and his division were involved in combat in France. On September 29, 1918, near Bellicourt, France, Adkison, by then a Sergeant, found he and his platoon pinned down by heavy German machine gun fire located fifty yards to their front.
Adkison, acting alone, charged the machine gun nest, kicked it over into the enemy trench, and using the bayonet fixed on his rifle captured the three man machine gun crew, allowing his platoon to advance. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1919, and was one of six soldiers from Tennessee to receive that medal for their service during the First World War. Another of the six was Alvin York, subject of the film Sergeant York starring actor Gary Cooper.
Adkison died in 1965, and is buried in Salem Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church in Atoka, Tennessee.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 119th Infantry, 30th Division. Place and date: Near Bellicourt, France, September 29, 1918. Entered service at: Memphis, Tenn. Born: January 4, 1892, Egypt, Tenn. G.O. No.: 59, W.D., 1919.
Citation:
When murderous machinegun fire at a range of 50 yards had made it impossible for his platoon to advance, and had caused the platoon to take cover Sergeant. Adkison alone, with the greatest intrepidity, rushed across the 50 yards of open ground directly into the face of the hostile machinegun kicked the gun from the parapet into the enemy trench, and at the point of the bayonet captured the 3 men manning the gun. The gallantry and quick decision of this soldier enabled the platoon to resume its advance.
Atoka Education System
Education
Atoka Public Schools are part of Tipton County Schools. The Tipton County School District has eight elementary schools, five middle schools and four high schools.
Atoka Elementary School is located in Atoka.
Dr. William E. Bibb is the Director of Schools.
External Links
List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I
"Joseph B. Adkinson". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
"Home of Heros". Retrieved September 29, 2010.
"Joseph Adkinson MOH citation". Retrieved September 29, 2010.
Source: Internet