By all accounts, Edward “Ed” Adams was a humble man; a man of great integrity and character who rarely spoke of his days fighting Nazis in North Africa and Europe during World War II.

Yet, to many, he was a hero.

Maybe it was his 60-year marriage to the same woman, or the three children he loved so dearly, or his unwavering commitment to family, church and community.

“He was a true gentleman, and when he had something to say, those around him listened,” sister-in-law Veda Manley said. “Except for how beautiful the countryside was when he went through France and Germany, he hardly spoke of the war.”

Adams served with the “Bravest of the Brave,” the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Division, a premier assault unit and one of just a few American divisions that fought the Axis on all European fronts. During his time in combat, Adams earned five purple hearts. Among them were decorations for wounds in North Africa, Italy and Germany.

“He was one of those guys who walked across Europe carrying a rifle,” said Frank Ford, Adams' son-in-law.

Tragically, Adams died last week at age 83 after he went missing on his more than 600-acre property in east Putnam County.

His disappearance prompted a near two-day search across a rural stretch of wooded land east of his native Eatonton that pulled together law enforcement officials from three counties in a tireless pursuit for the decorated war veteran.

While his death saddens us, it also reminds us that we should pause to honor the sacrifices that people like Adams have made in the name of freedom. As one author put it, “We all have the blood of heroes in our veins.”

“There are few people for whom I have higher respect, especially his contributions in World War II,” said Putnam County Commissioner Billy Webster, who was involved in the search since its beginnings last Thursday afternoon.

As thunderstorms and heavy rains complicated search efforts, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office was joined by deputies from Baldwin and Greene counties, agents from the Department of Natural Resources, Putnam Emergency Response personnel, two K-9 teams from the Department of Corrections and other volunteers who combed the dense, rugged terrain nonstop.

Despite foggy conditions Saturday morning, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills continued the search with about 65 volunteers and commitments from Georgia State Patrol and DNR aircraft as well as support from a private aviator.

Community support was a fact several people who volunteered in the search noted.

“I am amazed with the number of people who came out,” Ford said.

It’s also a fact not lost on us.