Navy Federal Credit Union

Albert Braun was educated at Saint Joseph’s School, Los Angeles, California, and Saint Anthony’s College, Santa Barbara, and received his theological training at Santa Barbara Seminary and Saint Louis (Missouri) seminary. He was ordained a Catholic Priest of the Franciscan Order on July 5, 1915. He served as a U.S. Army chaplain in both World War I and World War II. After World War I, as a missionary to the Mescalero Apache Tribe, he helped to construct Saint Joseph Apache Mission Church, finished in 1939. He returned to military service in 1940, and became a prisoner of war after the fall of Corregidor in the Philippine Islands in 1941. He was liberated after 40 months as a POW, at Camp Omori in Tokyo Bay, Japan, on August 29, 1945. After the war he returned to the Fruitvale Neighborhood of Oakland, California, where he requested and received permission from the Provincial to go back to the Mescalero. He left the parish in 1962, but remained involved in the church at various capacities until his death in 1983. In 1965 he received the Arizona Medal of Honor, and in 1979 received the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Award.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    6th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 14, 1918

    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 1 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Albert William Braun, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Braun distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 6th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Romagne, France, 14 October 1918. Although slightly wounded, Chaplain Braun remained on duty caring for the wounded.
    (First Citation)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    92d Coast Artillery

    Action Date:

    1942

    Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 219 (1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Chaplain’s Corps) Albert William Braun, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with the 92d Coast Artillery, in the Philippine Islands, in April and May 1942. During the defense of the Philippine Islands, Chaplain Braun directed the rescue of the wounded and the putting out of several fires despite danger from exploding ammunition after the command post at Corregidor received a direct hit during an air attack. His courage in the rescue of and assistance rendered to many wounded made more effective his day of work among the members of his command. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Braun, 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 Army.