[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 85 (Friday, June 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014

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                               speech of

                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1960) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     such fiscal year, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Chair, I am here to ask that you support my 
amendment requesting the Secretary of the Army to review and provide a 
report on the Medal of Honor nomination of Captain William L. Albracht 
of Moline, Illinois.
  Many, including the Vietnam Veterans of America, strongly believe 
that after reviewing all of the documentation that the Silver Star is 
not commensurate with Captain Albracht's actions during the five days 
of the siege of Firebase Kate in South Vietnam.
  It is the belief that the Army performed a cursory review of the 
nomination, given the length of time between Captain Albracht's heroic 
actions and his initial Medal of Honor nomination.
  Forty-three years ago, Captain Albracht, then a 21-year-old Green 
Beret, was in charge of a U.S. military evacuation at Firebase Kate.
  Captain Albracht's strong leadership, calm under extreme duress, and 
care for countless other soldiers was exemplary. He was responsible for 
saving 150 lives.
  Outnumbered 40-to-1 and vulnerable, conditions grew more dire. 
Albracht took shrapnel to the arm. The wound easily could have landed 
him aboard one of the last medevac helicopters that dared approach 
Firebase Kate.
  But he chose to stay.
  He led these 150 men off the base, despite being wounded, surrounded 
and constantly targeted by the enemy. After long nights, Captain 
Albracht's escape plan worked.
  After arriving safely at a nearby outpost, word came that there would 
be a ceremony to honor their heroic actions. A helicopter was sent to 
pick up Captain Albracht, despite poor flying conditions that had 
grounded many other aircraft.
  Upon arrival of the helicopter, Captain Albracht noted that there 
were several wounded soldiers who could not be airlifted due to weather 
conditions. He told the aircrew of his helicopter to get the men to a 
hospital. Giving up his seat caused him to miss the ceremony. His 
actions went unrecognized for four decades.
   Others under Captain Albracht's command and guidance were awarded 
Silver Stars for their actions that day. However, Captain Albracht was 
not recognized for leading his soldiers to safety through the dense 
Vietnamese jungle while repeatedly facing extreme enemy fire.
   Many believe that every man at Firebase Kate would have died if not 
for Captain Albracht. There was no one else capable of calling in an 
airstrike and no one there capable of inspiring these men to follow him 
into that jungle.
   This is why I am requesting that the Army review and provide a 
report on why Captain Albracht's heroic actions and Medal of Honor 
nomination was downgraded two levels.

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