After serving as a Fighter Pilot in the Army Air Forces in World War II, where he was credited with destroying FOUR enemy aircraft in aerial combat, Albert Schinz transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1971 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.
Sponsored by:
Albert
William
Schinz
February 27, 1919
–
January 18, 1985
Cemetery:
Beal Memorial Cemetery
Awards Received
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
July 10, 1965 – October 23, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chief, Air Force Advisory Group, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from 10 July 1965 to 23 October 1966. The outstanding initiative and dedication displayed by him during this period in fulfilling his responsibilities and obligations are reflective of the highest ideals of military conduct and discipline. Through his dynamic leadership and selfless devotion he has guided and directed his forces toward full attainment of Military Assistance Program goals. Under his personal scrutiny and enthusiastic leadership, the Vietnamese Air Force expanded and grew from a token combat might to an almost full-fledged strike force, capable of carrying out the diverse missions of a Tactical Air Force. With his broad knowledge of tactical air concepts, coupled with his exceptional organizational abilities, he was able to provide the direction and guidance necessary for sustained progress in completing this huge task. General Schinz’s achievements in this important assignment are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
June 17, 1968 – February 16, 1970
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, from 17 June 1968 to 16 February 1970. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Major General Schinz were instrumental factors in the resolution of many complex problems of major importance to the Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Schinz and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
41st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 41st Fighter Squadron, and later with the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations and the destruction of four enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 18, 1956 – August 1, 1959
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 Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Defense Atomic Support Agency, from 18 August 1956 to 1 August 1959. During this period, Colonel Schinz made many outstanding contributions to the security of the United States. His distinctive accomplishments in the field of nuclear weapons and his exemplary leadership, personal endeavor and managerial ability reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
March 14, 1962 – January 14, 1964
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 832d Air Division, Tactical Air Command, from 14 March 1962 to 14 January 1964. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Schinz resulted in significant contributions to many highly successful deployments of tactical fighter units to foreign countries in support of international alliances. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Schinz reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
41st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 41st Fighter Squadron, and later with the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations and the destruction of four enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
January 15, 1964 – June 20, 1965
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 836th Air Division, Tactical Air Command, from 15 January 1964 to 20 June 1965. During this period, General Schinz held prime responsibility for ushering into the Air Force inventory combat ready units employing a new weapons system, the F4C aircraft. He provided outstanding leadership, planning and direction resulting in the earliest availability of these units which are now actively employed as vital, effective instruments of national policy. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Schinz and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
41st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 58 (December 31, 1942)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then First Lieutenant] Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an Fighter Airplane of the 41st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Schinz, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
May 1, 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 1 May 1952. As leader of a flight of four F-86 type aircraft on a mission as cover for fighter bombers, he observed twenty-six enemy MiG-15 type aircraft entering the combat area. He attacked this force with his flight of four, and though aware relieve would be some minutes arriving, aggressively pressed the attack, disrupting the enemy force and obliging them to engage in battle. Under this aggressive attack the enemy force was made to expend its effort on the flight he was leading, thus preventing their interference with the interdiction mission of the fighter bombers. By his highly personal courage and devotion to duty, Colonel Schinz has brought great credit upon himself, the United Nations, and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
41st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Albert William Schinz (AFSN: AO-401241), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 41st Fighter Squadron, and later with the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations and the destruction of four enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.