IL SR0198

Captain William L. Albracht commanded Firebase Kate during a sustained attack from October 28 through November 2, 1969, by approximately 6,000 North Vietnamese troops.

Albracht repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers, guide helicopters, identify targets for air support, and shield casualties from incoming fire despite being wounded by shrapnel.

After being ordered to evacuate, Albracht led approximately 125 U.S. and allied soldiers through 5 kilometers of jungle to safety, marking the only time during 8 years of U.S. combat operations in South Vietnam that a surrounded unit escaped intact.

Albracht received 3 Silver Star Medals, 3 Purple Heart Medals, 5 Bronze Star Medals, 2 Air Medals, and the Army Commendation Medal, but was not awarded the Medal of Honor.

The Illinois Senate urges Congress, the Department of the Army, and the Department of Defense to review Albracht's actions and consider upgrading his Silver Star Medal to the Medal of Honor.