Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    28th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 1, 1968

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3695 (April 18, 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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Kenneth Hosea Albritton (ASN: 0-5337016), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 1 February 1968. On this date, Lieutenant Albritton was serving as a platoon leader on a search and destroy operation near the village of Cay Sanh, one kilometer north of Phu Loi. At approximately 1200 hours, he sighted several Viet Cong maneuvering to outflank his company, and immediately directed his men to prevent their attempt. Suddenly he and his platoon encountered hostile machine gun, automatic weapons and small arms fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Albritton ran from position to position shouting encouragement, adjusting the distribution of firepower, and directing the evacuation of casualties. Realizing additional firepower was necessary, he dashed through the vicious hostile fire to a nearby tracked vehicle mounted with twin-40 millimeter cannons. He then began placing a devastating volume of fire upon the well entrenched enemy and simultaneously ordered his platoon to launch a counterattack. Throughout the ensuing battle, he constantly remained in his exposed position placing effective fire upon the hostile positions. At the same time he brilliantly coordinated the attack and relayed adjustments of artillery fire to his company’s forward observer. He continued his devastating fire on the insurgents until mortally wounded in the final moments of the engagement. His exemplary courage and dynamic leadership were directly responsible for the defeat of the enemy force and saved the lives of many of his men. First Lieutenant Albritton’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.