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After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, Albert Hegenberger transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1949 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    World War II

    War Department, General Orders No. 17 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Albert F. Hegenberger (ASN: 0-10831), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Hegenberger and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    June 28 – 29, 1927

    War Department, General Orders No. 16 (1927)

    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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Albert F. Hegenberger (ASN: 0-10831), U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. As assistant pilot and navigator of a United States Army plane, by his masterly skill, courage, endurance, and tenacity of purpose, with his pilot, Lieutenant Hegenberger successfully navigated his airplane on 28 – 29 June 1927, from Oakland, California, to Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, over the greatest expanse of open sea yet crossed in a nonstop flight. Lieutenant Hegenberger, with full knowledge of the dangers and difficulties traversed over 2,400 miles of the Pacific Ocean with marvelous accuracy of direction, and thereby demonstrated conclusively the practicability of accurate aerial navigation. His masterful exploit is worthy of the greatest praise and has bestowed much credit on the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    July – November 1945

    War Department, General Orders No. 26 (March 20, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Albert Francis Hegenberger (ASN: 0-10831), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the FOURTEENTH Air Force in the China Theater of Operations from July 1945 to November 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Hegenberger and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces. [This award supersedes the award of the Legion of Merit (Oak-Leaf Cluster to Major General Hegenberger, for services from 25 July 1945 to 29 October 1945, as published in General Orders 205. Headquarters United States Forces, China Theater, 1 November 1945.]

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Corps

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    May 9, 1932

    War Department, General Orders No. 16 (1927)

    The 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 Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Albert F. Hegenberger (ASN: 0-10831), U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. By his initiative, energy, and courage, Capitan Hegenberger rendered exceptionally valuable services to the Government of the United States in the execution of a series of aerial flights culminating with a solo instrument flight and landing on 9 May 1932, in connection with the testing and development of Air Corps system of instrument flying and landing.