Navy Federal Credit Union

Following his mission in Southern France, Albert Dewey went to Southeast Asia to locate post World War II POW camps, graves of Americas killed in action, and possibly secondary intelligence in Saigon. En route to the airport, he was ambushed, shot, and killed by Vietnamese on September 25, 1945, three weeks after the end of World War II. Not only is the one of the last casualties of World War II, his is the first post-WWII American to be killed in action in Vietnam.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps), [then Captain]

    Division:

    Office of Strategic Services

    Action Date:

    August 20 – 22, 1944

    War Department, General Orders No. 23 (February 27, 1947)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps), [then Captain] Albert Peter Dewey (ASN: 0-911947), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the Office of Strategic Services from 20 to 22 August 1944. Major Dewey displayed conspicuous gallantry in action in southern France. Commanding a special mission behind the enemy lines, he and members of his unit, operating among elements of the German forces in the area, captured enemy prisoners and important equipment during sharp local engagements. Making a reconnaissance of the tactical situation, he traveled in a captured German-staff car among formations of hostile forces in order to spot and report German columns and formations in movement. Despite the serious danger of discovery and apprehension, he infiltrated and marked German columns and reported locations of ammunition dumps for strafing by Allied aircraft. Through his exceptional leadership and outstanding personal courage, Major Dewey made a notable contribution to the conduct of Allied operations in southern France. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Dewey, 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 Air Forces.