Mark Adams Obituary
Mark Adams, 58, passed away peacefully May 19th, 2023, surrounded by his loving family and friends at Sentara Virginia Beach General.
Mr. Adams served our country in the U.S. Navy retiring with over 24 years of dedicated service.
Mark was born in Harford, Ct and was raised in Windsor Ct. to the late Robert Adams and Martha Noland. Immediately after graduating high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy July 11, 1983. He completed NRTC and Boiler Technician “A” School at GLAKES, IL and then reported to USS Mahan (DDG 42) in Charleston, SC While there he served as the Fireroom Supervisor and the Oil/Water King for all fuel and water systems. Achieving the rank of BT2 while on active duty, his unit was engaged in direct combat actions with the 6th Fleet USS Saratoga battle group during the Libyan Conflict “Operation Prairie Fire,” also known as the “Line of Death” incident and was also involved with in intercepting the terrorists that hijacked the Achille Lauro. He left active-duty July 10, 1987. LNC Adams, returned to military service with the CTARNG as a Wheel/Track Mechanic from 1993 to 2001 serving as a SGT/Squad Leader with the 712th GS Maint Co. supporting the 10th Mountain and 11th Cavalry Divisions. In April 2001, he returned to the Navy Reserve and affiliated with Naval Submarine School as a Command Legalman. After Sept 11, 2001, LNC Adams mobilized in support of “Operation Enduring Freedom” and was stationed at NAVSTA Rota, Spain from November 2001 to November 2002. While there, he worked in the Legal Service Office and later the Trial Service Office for EURSWA assisting in Courts-martials throughout the European region and due to his fluency in Spanish and civilian background in law enforcement, he served as a Patrolman for the NAVSTA Rota Security Force. He was also selected to represent NAVSTA Rota and deployed as a crew member onboard the 19th century British Tall ship, Stavros SNiarchos, for two weeks transiting 1500 nautical miles from the Azores to Gibraltar. During 2002-2005 LNC Adams supported NAVSUBSCHOOL, Groton which subsequently was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. From August 2005 to August 2006, LNC Adams mobilized again to Kuwait and Iraq in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom III/IV” with NAVELSG FWD HQ C/D as the first Command Legalman supporting nearly 1,600 sailors operating in Kuwait and IRAQ. Traveling throughout Iraq and Kuwait, he provided assistance to the SJA for the Group Commander and supported the following units: MACH IV-V, EMF-Kuwait, Navy Customs, Brig Det Kuwait, NCWG 1, NMCB 3 and 7 and II Marine Expeditionary Force as a court reporter for SPCM’s. He was the ANCOIC at a Joint Armed Forces Tax Center and completed 26 naturalizations for sailors deployed in Kuwait/Iraq Returning from deployment he served as the Command Legal man for NSSB-2 HQ and in that role, he also served as the CMEO/SJA Legal man for 16 subordinate NAVELSG commands During 2005-2007 he supported RLSO EURSWA Sigonella, Sicily and 7th Fleet SJA Office NAVSTA GUAM. From 2007 through 2010, he was an instructor assigned to NJS 101 Naval Justice School and prepared 40 LNs for Iraq/Afghanistan/Horn of Africa deployments; served as the Senior Enlisted Leader MIDLANT for 51 LNs; served as the LN Deputy IA Director for the Reserve Legalman community for 170 LNS; and as the Career Counselor for NR Naval Justice School. He later served as SJA LCPO for SOUTHCOM 4th Fleet during Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief “Operation Integrated Advance 2011.” During 2010 to 2012 he has provided a combined 75 days active duty as Command Chief Legalman to NLSO Sasebo, Japan and RLSO Yokosuka, Japan His last duty station was onboard Amphibious Attack Ship USS Essex (LHD 2), lead ship of Amphibious Ready Group 7th Fleet as Command Chief Legalman and earned his Surface Warfare Specialist during his 90 days onboard over a 2 year period. He has completed his formal Legalman schooling at the Naval Justice School, Newport RI and also holds a BA in Sociology from Eastern Connecticut State University and a MA in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. His eldest son, Jonathan, was an infantryman scout for the 3rd Infantry Division serving at same time during “Iraqi Freedom” III-IV from 2005-2006. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of over 15 years, Ly Lu Adams; two sons: Jonathan Adams, Connor Adams; three grandchildren: Serenity Adams, Shane Adams and Emily Adams; cousins, Richard and Janet Fodaski, Phil and Jen Fodaski, Donna and Bill Denert; and his beloved chihuahua, “Emily”
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday August 19th, 2023 at Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery. To read more about Mr. Adam’s military career life please visit www.StricklandandFamilyFH.com