Lewis Albanese
Lewis Albanese | |
|---|---|
Medal of Honor recipient | |
| Born | April 27, 1946 Cornedo Vicentino, Vicenza, Italy |
| Died | December 1, 1966 (aged 20) Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam |
| Place of burial | Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Seattle Washington |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1965 - 1966 |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Unit | 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division |
| Conflicts | Vietnam War (DOW) |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Lewis Albanese (April 27, 1946 – December 1, 1966), born Luigi Albanese, was an Italian-born United States Army Private First Class who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War.
Born in Italy, Albanese immigrated to the United States as a young child with his parents and was drafted into the Army in 1965 after graduating from high school. During an exercise in the Republic of Vietnam, Albanese's platoon was under heavy fire from North Vietnamese positions. Albanese then bayonet charged his way to an enclosed sniper position, killing eight snipers before being mortally wounded.