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Adapted from "Lieutenant Commander Albert W. Vittek, U. S. Navy, " [biography, dated 19 February 1959] in Biographies, 20th century collection, Navy Department Library.

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  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • Korean Conflict 1950-1954
  • World War II 1939-1945
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Albert William Vittek

15 February 1921 - 2 June 2012

Albert William Vittek was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on 15 February 1921, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Vittek. He was graduated from Kenwood High School, Raspeburg, Maryland, in 1938, and on 11 July, that year enlisted in the US Navy as Seaman/Quartermaster 3. He was advanced to Quartermaster 2 in 1941, and from September 1941 to September 1943 made Quartermaster 1, Chief Quartermaster, and was commissioned Ensign, with date of rank 15 September 1943. He subsequently attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander, to date from 1 July 1954.

Prior to the outbreak of World War II, from September 1938 until August 1941, he served on board USS Sumner, a destroyer unit of the Atlantic Fleet. During the period September 1941 until September 1943, when he was commissioned in the US Navy, he served on board USS Tuscarora (YTB-341), and in October 1943 was assigned to USS Arikara (ATF-98), as Navigator. In that vessel he participated in the Invasion of Normandy, including the bombardment of Cherbourg, and the Allegheny, USS ATR-57, and USS Accokeek. From May 1948 to January 1950 he was a student (Navy 5-term Plan) at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and during the next ten months he attended the General Line School, Newport, Rhode Island. In January 1951 he reported as First Lieutenant of USS Newport News (CA-148), and in November 1952 was detached with orders to USS Smalley, to which he reported in February 1953.

For fourteen months he served as Executive Officer and Navigator of USS Smalley, which won the Korean Presidential Unit Citation for service in June and July 1953 under the United Nations Command as a unit of Task Force 77 of the SEVENTH Fleet. Detached from the Smalley in March 1954, he reported to the Navy Department, Washington, DC, for a tour of duty in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. There he served in the Allowances and Complements Branch of the Requirements Division. He was a student at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, from August 1956 to June 1957 then was ordered to sea as Commanding Officer of USS Dealey (DE-1006).

In addition to the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Lieutenant Commander Vittek had the Good Conduct Medal with one Star; the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two stars; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Europe Clasp; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal with one star; and the United Nations Service Medal.

Lieutenant Commander Vittek died on 2 June 2012.

[END]
Published: Mon Nov 30 08:44:38 EST 2020