The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Frederick Alber, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 12 May 1864, while serving with Company A, 17th Michigan Infantry, in action at Spotsylvania, Virginia. Private Alber bravely rescued Lieutenant Charles H. Todd of his regiment who had been captured by a party of Confederates by shooting down one, knocking over another with the butt of his musket, and taking them both prisoners.