Albert Dionisio Contreras, Jr.
Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 20 November 1968, Sergeant Albert Dionisio Contreras, Jr. was serving with Team 24, Company F, 58th Infantry Regiment (LRRP), 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in South Vietnam.

[Name Discrepancy: Most of the U.S. Army records (including the DSC Citation) list his name as Contreros, although the family name is Contreras and that is the name on his headstone.]

On that day, SGT Contreras, Team 24, was leading a reconnaissance patrol southwest of Hue. Once inserted deep within enemy-infiltrated territory, SGT Contreros located a trail, apparently heavily-traveled, and established an ambush position. The following morning the Team sprang the trap on an enemy squad, killing 9 and capturing documents. Later, when the Team started moving to the landing zone to be extracted, a concealed enemy force opened fire and wounded 1 American before the Team could find cover. SGT Contreras directed his men to return fire while he radioed for a medevac helicopter. When gunships arrived over the conflict area, he pointed out enemy targets for them. At the same time, the medevac helicopter had lowered a hoist rig through the jungle canopy and was pulling the casualty up when the communists renewed their assault. To protect the wounded man, SGT Contreros exposed himself to the fusillade to direct the suppressive fires both of his men and the gunships. Suddenly, an enemy anti-personnel mine was detonated, inflicting fatal wounds on the courageous Team Leader. SGT Contreros' extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Albert Dionisio Contreros, Jr. (ASN: 11821119), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company F, 58th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Sergeant Contreros' distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 November 1968, while leading a reconnaissance patrol southwest of Hue. Once inserted deep within enemy-infiltrated territory, Sergeant Contreros located a trail, apparently heavily-traveled, and established an ambush position. The following morning the team sprang the trap on an enemy squad, killing nine and capturing documents. Later, when the team commenced to move to the landing zone to be extracted, a concealed enemy force opened fire and wounded one American before the team could find cover. Sergeant Contreros immediately directed his men to return fire while he radioed for an ambulance helicopter. When gunships arrived over the conflict area, he pointed out enemy targets for them. At the same time, he medical helicopter had lowered a hoist rig through the jungle canopy and was pulling the casualty up when the communists renewed their assault. In an effort to protect the wounded man, Sergeant Contreros exposed himself to the hostile fusillade to direct the suppressive fires both of his men and the gunships. Suddenly, an enemy anti-personnel mine was detonated, inflicting fatal wounds on the heroic team leader. Sergeant Contreros' outstanding heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 476 (February 20, 1970)

Honors

The name Albert D Contreras Jr is located on Panel 38W Line 16 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Sergeant Albert Dionisio Contreras, Jr. is buried at Saint Raymonds Cemetery (New) in Bronx, Bronx County, NY.

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