The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Vincent A. Albers, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving as Assistant G-5, Headquarters, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam. On 27 February 1970, Lieutenant Colonel Albers was a passenger aboard a vehicle traveling south along the road between Dai Loc and Phu Loc in Quang Nam Province when a Vietnamese civilian bus in front of his vehicle detonated an enemy mine. Although thrown to the ground and painfully wounded by the blast, he quickly regained his feet and, accompanied by another Marine, entered the flaming wreckage of the bus to search for survivors. Despite the pain of his wounds and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Colonel Albers supervised the rescue of four survivors, moved them to a safe area, administered first aid and ensured their immediate medical evacuation. Lieutenant Colonel Albers’ bold and courageous actions in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in saving the lives of the four Vietnamese citizens. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
October 25, 1969 – October 12, 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Vincent A. Albers, Jr. (MCSN: 0-57287), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with the FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 25 October 1969 to 12 October 1970. Throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Albers performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Initially assigned as Assistant G-5, he quickly familiarized himself with the myriad aspects of the Division’s Pacification Program and provided sound recommendations concerning the conduct of joint psychological warfare operations and civic action projects. Working tirelessly and with meticulous attention to detail, he carefully monitored the status and results of Civic Action Programs and implemented management and supply techniques which ensured the most efficient employment of available manpower and material assets. For a one-month period, Lieutenant Colonel Albers served in the capacity of Assistant Chief of Staff, G-5 and initiated several activities to expand psychological warfare operations and encourage the local populace to participate in the pacification and development of their country. Reassigned as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines on 10 April 1970, Lieutenant Colonel Albers deployed his Battalion over a wide area and planned and supervised the execution of cordon and search operations, ambushes, and continuous patrols which blocked the enemy’s persistent attempts to launch offensives against friendly positions. In addition, he implemented sound administrative and supply procedures, established effective training programs, and initiated improvements in recreational and services facilities which greatly enhanced the morale of his Marines. On numerous occasions, he disregarded his own safety as he boldly moved to the point of enemy contact to assist his company commanders, encourage his men, and coordinate the delivery of supporting arms fires on hostile targets. Under his dynamic and courageous leadership, his Battalion inflicted severe casualties on numerically superior North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces and captured large quantities of ordnance and supplies. His extraordinary initiative and determination earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his command’s mission. By his leadership, professional acumen, and unflagging devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Albers rendered distinguished service to his country and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Albers is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
7th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
September 11, 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Vincent A. Albers, Jr. (MCSN: 0-57287), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 11 September 1970, during Operation IMPERIAL LAKE, elements of the Second Battalion were engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese force in the Que Son Mountains and had sustained several casualties. Upon learning that two critically wounded Marines were located in a deep canyon and that medical evacuation helicopters were unable to enter the confined area because of intense hostile fire, Lieutenant Colonel Albers proceeded by air to a small landing zone five hundred meters southwest of the contact area and maneuvered his medical officer, a Corpsman, and a radio operator over extremely rough terrain in the face of constant sniper fire to the side of the casualties. Quickly establishing a security perimeter, he remained in the fire-swept area for longer than an hour and directed suppressive fire against hostile positions concealed in surrounding caves while the medical officer and Corpsman ministered to the casualties. When the wounded Marines were restored sufficiently, they were moved by stretcher to the rear from where they were evacuated by helicopter to a medical facility. Then, Lieutenant Colonel Albers moved forward to the point of heaviest contact and directed repeated attacks against the entrenched enemy. Throughout the night, he remained with his men encouraging and instructing them in a scheme of maneuver, and at first light on 12 September resumed the assault. Under his dynamic and courageous leadership, his small unit moved forward aggressively and, in repeated attacks against heavy enemy resistance, destroyed three large caves and dealt the numerically superior enemy a crushing defeat. By his leadership, extraordinary courage, and unwavering devotion to duty, in an extremely hazardous situation, Lieutenant Colonel Albers was instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.