The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Donald John Alberts (AFSN: FR-78504), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct while assigned to the Office of Defense Cooperation, Spain, from 7 January 1987 to 31 July 1991. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Alberts were key factors in the successful negotiation, conclusion and implementation, to the benefit of both parties, of the currently in force Defense Cooperation Agreement between the United States and Spain and in the steady improvement of the climate and substance of the defense relationship between the two countries, particularly between their respective military the conduct of deployment, direct combat, and logistical support operations from and through Spain during the multination effort to liberate Kuwait. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Alberts culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
September 1982 – October 1985
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in awarding the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Donald John Alberts (AFSN: FR-78504), United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as Country Director for Spain and Portugal, European Policy Directorate, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, from September 1982 to October 1985. Colonel Alberts was a key policy participant in the United States Government’s implementation of the United States-Spanish Defense Economic Cooperation Agreement and in the resolution of several key bilateral issues with Spain and Portugal. His intelligence, political acumen, academic expertise, and personal dedication to excellence contributed to the development of Defense Policy with his assigned countries. In all of these responsibilities, Colonel Alberts’ recognized abilities played a major role in altering the bilateral defense relationships by making them deeper and stronger. Both governments regularly called upon him for consultations and assistance. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Alberts reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
433d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
July 26, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-2883 (September 19, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Donald John Alberts (AFSN: FR-78504), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force over North Vietnam on 26 July 1968. On that date, as an Aircraft commander of an F-4D aircraft of the 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, Captain Alberts was scheduled to perform a disk armed reconnaissance mission along a heavily defended line of communication and supply route in North Vietnam. With complete disregard fore his personal safety, Captain Alberts continued his attack on lucrative targets after sustaining major battle damage to his aircraft, despite the approach of darkness and the continuing heavy, intense, accurate defensive fire. This aggressive and courageous attack completely destroyed a very lucrative target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Alberts has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
433d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
August 4, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Donald John Alberts (AFSN: FR-78504), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 4 August 1968. On that date, Captain Alberts participated in a flight of two F-4D aircraft scheduled for a night armed reconnaissance mission along vital, heavily defended lines of communication and routes of supply. Despite extremely low cloud conditions, poor visibility and heavy, intense, accurate defensive fire, Captain Alberts delivered his ordnance in such a manner as to achieve extraordinary results, destroying much material of value to the hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Alberts reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
433d Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
March 26, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-82 (January 9, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Donald John Alberts (AFSN: FR-78504), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F4C Pilot of the 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 26 March 1967. On that date, he was assigned a mission against a vital military storage area, during which Lieutenant Alberts’ flight encountered a far superior number of hostile aircraft, and engaged the unfriendly forces in air to air combat. Lieutenant Alberts’ aircraft became separated from the other two members of his flight, but despite heavy and accurate hostile ground fire he stayed engaged until beyond required fuel levels, thus giving great support to the other members of the flight and allowing the successful escape of the main strike force. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Alberts reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.