5/17/2010

Marine from Sacramento County dies in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Marine from Sacramento County has died from injuries suffered when a bomb went off in Afghanistan.

Defense Department officials say Staff Sgt. Adam Perkins died Monday. The 27-year-old explosive ordnance disposal technician was injured in the Helmand province.

Perkins was assigned to the 1st Marine Logistics Group based at Camp Pendleton.

He was on his third tour of duty, the first two served in Iraq.

Perkins was a 2001 graduate of Center High School in the community of Antelope. English teacher Paul Frazee, a Vietnam veteran who keeps in contact with Center High alumni in the military, says he remembers Perkins as a fine student who was an Eagle Scout and an active member of his church.

Perkins is survived by a wife and baby.

Loved spending time with son, wife

The Associated Press

Before he left for Afghanistan, Adam Perkins read books on video to his 9-month-old son so he wouldn’t forget him.

Perkins, a bomb technician, knew his job was dangerous, but he wanted a challenge, his mother said.

“He was very big on safety. Don’t think for a minute he was not cautious,” said his mother, Laureen Myers.

Perkins, 27, of Antelope, Calif., was killed May 17 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Pendleton, Calif.

“He was defusing a roadside bomb, and there was a second detonation,” Myers said, her voice shaking as she told The Modesto (Calif.) Bee it wasn’t a mistake that caused her son’s death.

Myers said Perkins most enjoyed being with his wife and son. He was seen as a serious man, but his son made him smile, Myers said.

“Adam was a hero,” said his stepfather, Bill Myers. “What he did saved countless lives, both military and civilian.”

Perkins attended Center High School in Antelope. He enlisted in the Marines a week after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In a nine-year military career, he earned a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, and other commendations.