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 Major (Infantry) Albert Joseph Sheehan (ASN: 0-5304263), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Sheehan distinguished himself while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. On 20 February 1969, Major Sheehan arrived at the scene of intense action involving a First Brigade Long Range Patrol Team and a numerically superior enemy force. Realizing contact had been broken and the platoon that had relieved the patrol was not initiating effective measures to reestablish contact and pursue the enemy, Major Sheehan was inserted and organized the friendly forces into an effective fighting group. Then directing his small force from an exposed position directly behind the point man, Major Sheehan led them towards the suspected enemy positions. After moving approximately 700 meters along a trail and discovering numerous enemy bodies and pieces of equipment, they located a clearing in the jungle and were moving cautiously through this hazardous area when they suddenly came under intense AK-47 fire. Although immobilized and separated from his support elements, Major Sheehan continually engaged the enemy protecting his group’s position with extremely accurate bursts of fire from a captured AK-47 as helicopter gunships and infantry reinforcements were directed to the scene of the intense contact. Major Sheehan’s courageous acts, aggressiveness and exemplary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Soldier’s Medal
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Soldier’s Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Soldier’s Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Infantry)Regiment:
1st BrigadeDivision:
4th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
December 30, 1968
Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 283 (January 26, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Major (Infantry) Albert Joseph Sheehan (ASN: 0-5304263), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Sheehan distinguished himself while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. On 30 December 1968, the Fire Support Base of Battery A, 4th Battalion, 42d Artillery was engulfed by a raging fire which detonated artillery rounds in several locations. Immediately upon his arrival Major Sheehan injected organization into the chaotic situation and directed the fire fighting operations. Within minutes the fire in the southern section of the base was contained and individuals in flak jackets and steel helmets were dispatched to extinguish the fires in the ammunition bunkers. Due to the organizational abilities of Major Sheehan the raging fire was quickly contained and injures and destruction of equipment minimized. Major Sheehan’s courage actions, outstanding leadership and exemplary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Soldier’s Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Infantry)Regiment:
1st BrigadeDivision:
4th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
November 4, 1968
Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 1776 (May 17, 1969The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Soldier’s Medal to Major (Infantry) Albert Joseph Sheehan (ASN: 0-5304263), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Sheehan distinguished himself while serving as 1st Brigade Adjutant with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. On 4 November 1968, Major Sheehan was operating with 1st Brigade’s units at Firebase VERA in the Central Highlands when a severe grass fire broke out near a troop area, burning equipment and ammunition. Realizing the danger to the troops, Major Sheehan rushed to the area warning them of the danger and moving them away. At this time Claymore mines and hand grenades exploded, wounding several personnel. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Sheehan entered the fire and began throwing out hand grenades and other munitions to prevent further injury to his men. Then another hand grenade exploded, wounding a nearby soldier. Major Sheehan immediately covered the man with his own body to protect him from additional explosions. A few moments later he carried the man to medical aid, and returned to extinguish the fire. Major Sheehan’s exceptional courage, outstanding performance, and exemplary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Infantry)Regiment:
1st BrigadeDivision:
4th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
February 24, 1969
Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 1275 (April 20, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Infantry) Albert Joseph Sheehan (ASN: 0-5304263), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Sheehan distinguished himself while serving as S-3 with 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. On three separate occasions on 24 February 1969, Major Sheehan distinguished himself while aloft in the 1st Brigade’s command and control helicopter. At 1000 hours on this date, a CH-47 helicopter full of artillery ammunition crashed and burned. Major Sheehan directed his craft to land near the site where he disembarked his craft and assisted in the evacuation of the wounded in the midst of the exploding ammunition. His second rescue mission concerned a track which had been caught in an enemy ambush. The crew was wounded and still under fire. Major Sheehan again directed his craft to land near the disabled track. Under fire from the hidden enemy positions, he left his craft and aided in the evacuation of the wounded personnel. His third mission came about when he received a call that another track from the 1st Brigade had hit a mine and the wounded could not be reached due to the intense enemy fire in the area. He again directed his craft to land in the immediate area and under fire evacuated the wounded men on his craft. Major Sheehan’s courageous acts, professional skill, and exemplary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.