Name: Lewis Albanese
Rank: Private First Class
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 5th Battalion (Airmobile), 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam – 1 December 1966
Entered Service At: Seattle, Washington
Born: April 27, 1946 – Venice, Italy
Departed: Killed in action, 1 December 1966
Accredited To: Washington
Summary of Action
On 1 December 1966, Private First Class Lewis Albanese’s platoon was advancing through dense terrain in Vietnam to establish a blocking position when it came under intense close-range automatic weapons fire. Albanese was assigned to secure the left flank of his platoon.
Suddenly, enemy fire struck from a well-concealed ditch, threatening the entire platoon. Recognizing the danger, Albanese fixed his bayonet and aggressively entered the ditch, silencing sniper fire and allowing his unit to continue its advance.
The ditch proved to be a heavily fortified enemy position designed to deliver deadly flanking fire. Disregarding his own safety, Albanese advanced 100 meters along the trench, killing six snipers. After exhausting his ammunition, he engaged in hand-to-hand combat, killing two more enemy soldiers before being mortally wounded.
His extraordinary courage and selfless actions saved the lives of numerous comrades and enabled the platoon to successfully advance against a numerically superior enemy force. Albanese’s heroism remains a lasting tribute to his bravery, devotion, and sacrifice.
Medal of Honor Citation
ALBANESE, LEWIS
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 5th Battalion (Airmobile), 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 1 December 1966
Entered service at: Seattle, Wash.
Born: 27 April 1946, Venice, Italy
G.O. No.: 12, 3 April 1968
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Albanese’s platoon, while advancing through densely covered terrain to establish a blocking position, received intense automatic weapons fire from close range. As other members maneuvered to assault the enemy position, Pfc. Albanese was ordered to provide security for the left flank of the platoon. Suddenly, the left flank received fire from enemy located in a well-concealed ditch. Realizing the imminent danger to his comrades from this fire, Pfc. Albanese fixed his bayonet and moved aggressively into the ditch. His action silenced the sniper fire, enabling the platoon to resume movement toward the main enemy position. As the platoon continued to advance, the sound of heavy firing emanated from the left flank from a pitched battle that ensued in the ditch which Pfc. Albanese had entered. The ditch was actually a well-organized complex of enemy defenses designed to bring devastating flanking fire on the forces attacking the main position. Pfc. Albanese, disregarding the danger to himself, advanced 100 meters along the trench and killed 6 of the snipers, who were armed with automatic weapons. Having exhausted his ammunition, Pfc. Albanese was mortally wounded when he engaged and killed 2 more enemy soldiers in fierce hand-to-hand combat. His unparalleled actions saved the lives of many members of his platoon who otherwise would have fallen to the sniper fire from the ditch, and enabled his platoon to successfully advance against an enemy force of overwhelming numerical superiority. Pfc. Albanese’s extraordinary heroism and supreme dedication to his comrades were commensurate with the finest traditions of the military service and remain a tribute to himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Name: Lewis Albanese
