PFC Michael Douglas Mc Adoo, Pulaski, MO on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

PFC Michael Douglas McAdoo, age 19, was killed in Vietnam on a military mission when a vehicle he was a passenger in was negotiating a curve and overturned. Also killed in the accident was the driver, PFC Billy Randy Farrior, from Ooltewah, Tennessee.

Information from the Southern Illinoisan, on Monday, 4 January 1971 tells of Michael's birth on Feb. 21,1951, in Chester, the son of Wilma and Nelson A McAdoo (It is unknown when his father died but his mother remarried). He grew up in the area and attended Chester High School. He was employed at the Glister Milling Co. before entering the Army in February 1970.

Pfc. McAdoo must have enlisted in the army as the Draft Lottery for draft eligible men with a year of birth 1951 was not held until July of 1970 and his number would have been 213, which means, in all probabilty, he would not have been drafted. He left for Vietnam on December 16 and was killed December 26.

Funeral services for Pfc. Michael Douglas McAdoo were at 2 p.m. Wednesday (6 January) at the Schroeder Funeral Chapel in Chester. The Rev. Arnold Ranta officiated, with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery. He was a member of the American Legion in Chester, and St. John's Lutheran Church. Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Wilma Willis; and stepfather, Woodrow 'Woody' Willis, both of Chester.

Further searches reveal the Barker-McAdoo-Willis families have a long family history in Chester. According to the obituary of Mildred Preston (1916-1973), sister of Wilma Barker, they were born to William James (1892-1943) and Emza Alice (Christian) Barker (1892-1978). Mildred married George (d. 1969) and lived in Chester until their deaths.

Wilma married Nelson A McAdoo and from that union was born Michael Douglas McAdoo. Nelson passed away, date unknown, and Wilma remarried Woodrow Willis and raised Michael.

His stepfather, Woodrow "Woody" Willis, son of Charles and Lulu Willis (1880-1959 & interred in Evergreen), served in Europe during World War II as a Sergeant with Patton's 3rd Armored Division. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Silver Star for his efforts in capturing 110 German soldiers. He served from 1942 to 1946. He passed away March 13, 1986 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery (Randolph Co, IL Veterans - Page 162).

It has not been verified whether PFC Michael D Mc Adoo's parents, Wilma Barker McAdoo Willis and Nelson A McAdoo are all buried together in Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Illinois but it is probable that Michael was buried in 1970 near his father and his mother is or will be buried with them.

- - The Virtual Wall, June 7, 2014