As you probably know, Colonel Adams’ final military overseas deployment was in 1991.  Where, as Training Commander, Colonel, First Special Forces Group, 2^nd Brigade, Croatian Rangers, he organized, trained, and lead his Rangers behind enemy lines to fight the communist dictatorship during the War in the Balkans as Croatia fought successfully for independence.  Colonel Adams’ Rangers were said to have “changed the face of the war”.

A little more detail about how this came about.  Colonel Adams had volunteered to go help them in their fight knowing this would be his last deployment.  Intending to simply volunteer for one last conflict, he volunteered to be part of the team going to Sarajevo.  You might recall Sarajevo just a few years prior had held the Winter Olympics.  It was now surrounded by communist forces and the population was starving.  This team was headed to break through the communist lines and emancipate the city.

Literally on the truck, headed there, Colonel Adams (using the name Joe Black) was pulled off the truck.  Their Intelligence Services had figured out who he was and asked him to instead stay and develop a special forces unit.  They explained that his expertise would make a significant difference for them, and this would be a greater service to their cause.  He reluctantly agreed knowing that once again he would be responsible for people’s lives and missions behind enemy lines.

You might have heard him tell some brief stories such as this one:

“I frequently used a “color” as my last name when working overseas as that was more understandable by locals.  We were in training at the base camp and a group of guys were in the cantina (recreational hall) on the base.  They were shooting pool and having a few beers.  My translator, Danny, asked if I would come to watch them shoot pool as it would mean a lot to them.  I did.

Across the room, there were journalists cordoned off in an area.  After witnessing the response from the guys when I came in, they became curious about who I am and asked to speak with me.  I went over to them, and the first one asked a question, in Russian of course.  I responded in English.  And they were speechless.  Finally asking me if I was an American?!  They were shocked and could not get over that an American was commanding this team.

During the conversation, the name I was using, Joe Black, became the focus of the reporter’s questions.  I explained how and why I use a color.  He was somewhat upset and challenged me as to why I would select Black for Croatia.  I simply explained to him that it did not mean anything negative about Croatia, I simply ran out of colors.”

The Rangers did amazing things…..and a group of them just got together in a reunion.  This article came out last Tuesday.  Thought you might appreciate seeing it.  It has been translated into English.