Jump to content

William Albracht: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Mchuedem (talk | contribs)
4,102 edits
m Mchuedem moved page User:Mchuedem/WilliamAlbrachtDraft to William Albracht: create new page
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,167,968 edits
 
(48 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American military personnel}}
'''William "Bill" Albracht''' was an Army captain in the [[Vietnam War]]. He is a recipient of three [[Silver Star]]s, and is the author of ''Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate''.
'''William "Bill" Albracht''' was an Army captain in the [[Vietnam War]]. He is a recipient of three [[Silver Star]]s, and is the author of ''[[Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate]]''.


==Early Life==
==Early life==
William Albracht was born and raised in [[Rock Island, Illinois]].
William Albracht was born and raised in [[Rock Island, Illinois]].
In 1966 he graduated from [[Alleman High School (Rock Island, Illinois)]].<ref name=Alleman>{{cite web |url=http://www.allemanhighschool.org/alumni-friends/alumnispotlight_albracht.cfm |title=Push is on to land Albracht a Medal of Honor |last=Ickes |first=Barb |date=26 May 2013 |website=Alleman Catholic High School |publisher=Quad City Times |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>
In 1966, he graduated from [[Alleman High School (Rock Island, Illinois)|Alleman High School]].<ref name=Alleman>{{cite web |url=http://www.allemanhighschool.org/alumni-friends/alumnispotlight_albracht.cfm |title=Push is on to land Albracht a Medal of Honor |last=Ickes |first=Barb |date=26 May 2013 |website=Alleman Catholic High School |publisher=Quad City Times |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Line 9: Line 10:
===Military===
===Military===


At 21 years old, Captain William Albracht was the youngest [[Green Berets]] captain in [[Vietnam]].<ref name=Quest>{{cite web |url=http://vvaveteran.org/33-2/33-2_lzkate.html |title=A Quest for Recognition:Bill Albracht and the Miraculous Escape from Firebase Kate |last=Sharp |first=Arthur G. |date=2013 |website=VVA Veteran Online |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref> He saved 150 lives during the evacuation of battle site Firebase Kate in the Quang Duc province of [[South Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/congresswoman-cheri-bustos-advocates-for-medal-of-honor-review-for |title=Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Advocates for Medal of Honor Review for Vietnam War Veteran Bill Albracht |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 June 2013 |website=bustos.house.gov |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>
At 21 years old, Captain William Albracht was the youngest [[Green Berets|Green Beret]] captain in [[Vietnam]].<ref name=Quest>{{cite web |url=http://vvaveteran.org/33-2/33-2_lzkate.html |title=A Quest for Recognition:Bill Albracht and the Miraculous Escape from Firebase Kate |last=Sharp |first=Arthur G. |date=2013 |website=VVA Veteran Online |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wgntv.com/2015/11/11/chicago-honoring-nations-heroes-this-veterans-day/|title=Chicago honoring nation's heroes this Veterans Day - WGN-TV|work=WGN-TV|date=11 November 2015 }}</ref> In October 1969 Albracht took command of a remote hilltop outpost called [[Landing Zone Kate|Firebase Kate]] in the [[Đắk Nông Province|Quang Doc Province]] of South Vietnam, held by 27 American soldiers and 156 [[Montagnard (Vietnam)|Montagnard]] militiamen. At dawn the next morning, three [[North Vietnamese Army]] regiments crossed the [[Cambodia]]n border and attacked. Albracht's men held off repeated ground assaults by the Communist forces. After five days Kate's defenders were out of ammunition and water. Albracht led his troops off the hill and on a night march through enemy lines, a feat never duplicated during the Vietnam War.<ref name=Albracht>{{cite book|last1=Albracht|first1=William|title=Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate|date=2015|publisher=NAL Caliber a division of Penguin Group|location=New York, New York|isbn=978-0-451-46808-6}}</ref> He saved 150 lives during the evacuation of the battle site Firebase Kate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/congresswoman-cheri-bustos-advocates-for-medal-of-honor-review-for |title=Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Advocates for Medal of Honor Review for Vietnam War Veteran Bill Albracht |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 June 2013 |website=bustos.house.gov |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>


Albracht was awarded three Silver Stars for his actions in the Vietnam War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=100009 |title=William L. Albracht: Awards and Citations |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Military Times |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref> He has also received three [[Purple Hearts]] and five [[Bronze Stars]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vote-il.org/intro.aspx?state=il&id=ilalbrachtbill |title=Biographical Profile for Bill Albracht |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=vote-il.org |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>
Albracht was awarded three Silver Stars for his actions in the Vietnam War.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/100009 |title=William L. Albracht: Awards and Citations |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Military Times |access-date=3 February 2015}}</ref> He has also received three [[Purple Heart]]s and five [[Bronze Stars]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vote-il.org/intro.aspx?state=il&id=ilalbrachtbill |title=Biographical Profile for Bill Albracht |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=vote-il.org |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>


===After the War===
===After the war===


For twenty-five years Albracht served as a Secret Service Officer. During his time with the [[United States Secret Service]], he guarded four American Presidents and numerous foreign officials. After his retirement, he managed Executive Security Operations for the [[Ford Motor Company]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/pritzker-military-presents/william-albracht-abandoned-hell/ |title=William Albracht, Abandoned in Hell: The Fight For Vietnam's Firebase Kate |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=pritzkermilitary.org |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>
For 25 years, Albracht served as a [[United States Secret Service]] agent. During his time with the Secret Service, he guarded five American presidents and numerous foreign officials. After his retirement, he managed executive security operations for the [[Ford Motor Company]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/pritzker-military-presents/william-albracht-abandoned-hell/ |title=William Albracht, Abandoned in Hell: The Fight For Vietnam's Firebase Kate |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=pritzkermilitary.org |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>


In 2005 Captain Albracht returned to his hometown. He served on the Board of Quad Cities Chapter 299 for five years, and was its president for two terms.<ref name=Quest />
In 2005, Captain Albracht returned to his hometown. He served on the board of the Quad Cities chapter of [[Vietnam Veterans of America]] for five years, and was its president for two terms.<ref name=Quest />


In the 2012 election for the Illinois State Senate in the 36th District, Albracht made an unsuccessful bid for political office as a [[Republican]] against Senator [[Mike Jacobs]].<ref name=Alleman /> <ref>{{cite web |url=http://wqad.com/2014/11/02/illinois-state-senate-race-for-36th-district-most-expensive-in-state-history/ |title=36th District Senate Race is the most expensive in the History of Illinois |last=Lewis |first=Brittany |date=2 November 2014 |website=wqad.com |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>
In the 2012 election for the Illinois State Senate in the 36th district, Albracht made an unsuccessful bid for political office as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] against Senator [[Mike Jacobs (Illinois politician)|Mike Jacobs]].<ref name=Alleman /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://wqad.com/2014/11/02/illinois-state-senate-race-for-36th-district-most-expensive-in-state-history/ |title=36th District Senate Race is the most expensive in the History of Illinois |last=Lewis |first=Brittany |date=2 November 2014 |website=wqad.com |accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref>


===Novelist===
==Writings==


Along with Captain Marvin J. Wolf, Albracht wrote the book ''Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate''. It recounts Albracht's leadership in Vietnam, specifically his heroic actions on a remote hilltop outpost called Firebase Kate. The reception for ''Abandoned In Hell: The Fight For Firebase Kate'' has generally been positive. The ''Washington Independent Review of Books'' wrote, "With a foreword by [[Joseph L. Galloway]] (co-author of ''[[We Were Soldiers Once… And Young|We Were Soldiers Once]]'') and excellent illustrations and photos, ''Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate'' is a story that deserved to be well told."<ref name=washington>{{cite web|last1=De Maria|first1=Lawrence|title=Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate|url=http://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/abandoned-in-hell-the-fight-for-vietnams-firebase-kate|website=Washington Independent Review of Books|accessdate=9 June 2015}}</ref> Major General Paul Vallely, two-tour Vietnam veteran, [[Fox News]] senior military analyst, and author of ''Endgame: The Blueprint for Victory in the War on Terror'', wrote, "This gripping, gritty and cinematic blow-by-blow account of outnumbered Americans locked in a desperate battle with the North Vietnamese Army is destined to become a classic of its genre. If you read only one book about Vietnam this year, this must be the one."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vallely|first1=Paul|title=Book Review|url=http://www.abandonedinhell.com/reviews/|website=Abandoned in Hell|accessdate=9 June 2015}}</ref>
Along with Captain Marvin J. Wolf, Captain William Albracht wrote the novel ''Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate''. It recounts Albracht's leadership in Vietnam, specifically his heroic actions on a remote hilltop outpost called Firebase Kate.

==In film==
Albracht's story is included in the documentary ''Escape from Firebase Kate'', which was produced by filmmaker Paul Kakert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qctimes.com/entertainment/documentary-captures-vietnam-experience/article_1f982c6b-89d8-5afe-a4b3-a288b841003e.html|title=Documentary captures Vietnam experience|date=5 October 2015|work=The Quad-City Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4601148/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|title=Escape from Firebase Kate (2015)|date=13 April 2015|work=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://escapefromfirebasekate.com|title=intropage - Escape from Firebase Kate|publisher=}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External Links==
==External links==
*[http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/pritzker-military-presents/william-albracht-abandoned-hell/ William Albracht at [[Pritzker Military Museum and Library]]]
*[http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/pritzker-military-presents/william-albracht-abandoned-hell/ William Albracht] at [[Pritzker Military Museum and Library]]
*[http://www.abandonedinhell.com/albracht/ William Albracht Bio on Abandoned in Hell Website]
*[http://www.qconline.com/news/local/abandoned-in-hell-details-albracht-s-ordeal-in-vietnam/article_d214e6aa-9037-5c30-a75d-3b8e269219a8.html 'Abandoned in Hell' details Albracht's ordeal in Vietnam]
*[http://www.qconline.com/news/local/abandoned-in-hell-details-albracht-s-ordeal-in-vietnam/article_d214e6aa-9037-5c30-a75d-3b8e269219a8.html 'Abandoned in Hell' details Albracht's ordeal in Vietnam]
*Documentary film produced in 2015 by Storytellers International and Director Paul Kakert: http://escapefromfirebasekate.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Albracht, William}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Illinois Republicans]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:United States Army officers]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Latest revision as of 16:57, 16 April 2024

William "Bill" Albracht was an Army captain in the Vietnam War. He is a recipient of three Silver Stars, and is the author of Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate.

Early life[edit]

William Albracht was born and raised in Rock Island, Illinois. In 1966, he graduated from Alleman High School.[1]

Career[edit]

Military[edit]

At 21 years old, Captain William Albracht was the youngest Green Beret captain in Vietnam.[2][3] In October 1969 Albracht took command of a remote hilltop outpost called Firebase Kate in the Quang Doc Province of South Vietnam, held by 27 American soldiers and 156 Montagnard militiamen. At dawn the next morning, three North Vietnamese Army regiments crossed the Cambodian border and attacked. Albracht's men held off repeated ground assaults by the Communist forces. After five days Kate's defenders were out of ammunition and water. Albracht led his troops off the hill and on a night march through enemy lines, a feat never duplicated during the Vietnam War.[4] He saved 150 lives during the evacuation of the battle site Firebase Kate.[5]

Albracht was awarded three Silver Stars for his actions in the Vietnam War.[6] He has also received three Purple Hearts and five Bronze Stars.[7]

After the war[edit]

For 25 years, Albracht served as a United States Secret Service agent. During his time with the Secret Service, he guarded five American presidents and numerous foreign officials. After his retirement, he managed executive security operations for the Ford Motor Company.[8]

In 2005, Captain Albracht returned to his hometown. He served on the board of the Quad Cities chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America for five years, and was its president for two terms.[2]

In the 2012 election for the Illinois State Senate in the 36th district, Albracht made an unsuccessful bid for political office as a Republican against Senator Mike Jacobs.[1][9]

Writings[edit]

Along with Captain Marvin J. Wolf, Albracht wrote the book Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate. It recounts Albracht's leadership in Vietnam, specifically his heroic actions on a remote hilltop outpost called Firebase Kate. The reception for Abandoned In Hell: The Fight For Firebase Kate has generally been positive. The Washington Independent Review of Books wrote, "With a foreword by Joseph L. Galloway (co-author of We Were Soldiers Once) and excellent illustrations and photos, Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate is a story that deserved to be well told."[10] Major General Paul Vallely, two-tour Vietnam veteran, Fox News senior military analyst, and author of Endgame: The Blueprint for Victory in the War on Terror, wrote, "This gripping, gritty and cinematic blow-by-blow account of outnumbered Americans locked in a desperate battle with the North Vietnamese Army is destined to become a classic of its genre. If you read only one book about Vietnam this year, this must be the one."[11]

In film[edit]

Albracht's story is included in the documentary Escape from Firebase Kate, which was produced by filmmaker Paul Kakert.[12][13][14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Ickes, Barb (26 May 2013). "Push is on to land Albracht a Medal of Honor". Alleman Catholic High School. Quad City Times. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  2. ^ a b Sharp, Arthur G. (2013). "A Quest for Recognition:Bill Albracht and the Miraculous Escape from Firebase Kate". VVA Veteran Online. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Chicago honoring nation's heroes this Veterans Day - WGN-TV". WGN-TV. 11 November 2015.
  4. ^ Albracht, William (2015). Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate. New York, New York: NAL Caliber a division of Penguin Group. ISBN 978-0-451-46808-6.
  5. ^ "Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Advocates for Medal of Honor Review for Vietnam War Veteran Bill Albracht". bustos.house.gov. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  6. ^ "William L. Albracht: Awards and Citations". Military Times. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  7. ^ "Biographical Profile for Bill Albracht". vote-il.org. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  8. ^ "William Albracht, Abandoned in Hell: The Fight For Vietnam's Firebase Kate". pritzkermilitary.org. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  9. ^ Lewis, Brittany (2 November 2014). "36th District Senate Race is the most expensive in the History of Illinois". wqad.com. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  10. ^ De Maria, Lawrence. "Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate". Washington Independent Review of Books. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  11. ^ Vallely, Paul. "Book Review". Abandoned in Hell. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  12. ^ "Documentary captures Vietnam experience". The Quad-City Times. 5 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Escape from Firebase Kate (2015)". IMDb. 13 April 2015.
  14. ^ "intropage - Escape from Firebase Kate".

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Albracht&oldid=1219254034"