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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) William L. Albracht, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed force while serving with Detachment B-20, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Albracht distinguished himself during the period 16 to 18 May 1970, while advising a Vietnamese Mobile Strike Force element during search and clear operations in Kontum Province. After several days of searching for suspected enemy activity in the mountainous jungle terrain surrounding Dak Seang Special Forces Camp, the allies were attacked by a large hostile force supported by intense rocket and mortar fire. Captain Albracht immediately moved through the intense enemy fire to personally direct the defensive efforts of his men and to administer aid to his wounded comrades. As the enemy attack suddenly intensified, the captain rushed to the point of heaviest contact and resisted the enemy with hand-to-hand combat. When the allies ran perilously low on ammunition, Captain Albracht directed a helicopter resupply operation and exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to unload and distribute the ammunition to his men. On the final day of contact, the allies broke through the enemy encirclement and Captain Albracht assumed rear security responsibilities. Directing allied artillery strikes to within thirty meters of his position, the captain held the enemy at bay while his men moved toward Camp Dak Seang. Then, the captain skillfully flanked his men around the opposing force to the safety of the Special Forces camp. Captain Albracht’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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 Captain (Infantry) William L. Albracht, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed force while serving with Detachment A-236, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Albracht distinguished himself on 2 November 1969, while serving as an Advisor to Vietnamese forces at Camp Bu Prang, in the Republic of Vietnam. That night enemy elements launched an intense mortar and recoilless rifle attack upon the Vietnamese outpost. Although his bunker was the direct target of hostile recoilless rifle fire, Captain Albracht held his position, detected the launching site of the enemy gunners, and returned fire on them with his machine gun. After silencing the recoilless rifle, Captain Albracht left his bunker and took up a position completely exposed to hostile fire and from there adjusted artillery and tactical air strikes on the adversary’s positions. Amid barrages of B-40 rockets, Captain Albracht continued to direct and coordinate friendly fire on the attackers until the cessation of hostilities. Captain Albracht’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) William L. Albracht, United States Army, for gallantry in action from 28 October 1969 to 1 November 1969, during combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, as Executive Officer, Detachment A-236, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, while in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Albracht’s calm and reassuring leadership as the Officer-in-Charge of Fire Support Base Kate enabled his forces to successfully withstand the initial waves of enemy attacks. The following day, with complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Albracht moved under intense enemy fire, carrying a wounded Soldier to safety and directing incoming medevac helicopters. Despite his shrapnel wounds, Captain Albracht refused evacuation and continued to lead his Soldiers in fighting enemy forces and ultimately withdrawing from the base. Over the period of six hours, Captain Albracht and his Soldiers evaded enemy forces while moving through the jungle under the cover of darkness to meet United States forces at the rescue position. Captain Albracht’s bravery, self sacrifice and exceptional tactical skill enabled the defenders of Fire Support Base Kate to not only defend their position until the last possible moment, but also successfully escape prior to being overrun. Captain Albracht’s accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the United States Army.