Del Albright — Army Green Beret, Ranger, and Decorated Vietnam Combat Veteran
Early Service & Family Tradition
I grew up in southern California with a tight-knit family that included hundreds of cousins, in-laws, and “outlaws,” literally. Patriotism and military service were a part of everyday life in my family. Most of my uncles and male relatives served in World War II, the Korean War, or both. So in 1967, shortly after graduating from high school, I volunteered for the U.S. Army — following the long tradition of service I had grown up admiring.
I spent five years on active duty, followed by eight years in the California Army National Guard. Military life carried me through three countries, twelve states, and taught me two languages — lessons that shaped the rest of my life.
Throughout my service, I earned qualifications as an Airborne Paratrooper, Ranger, U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Beret), and Para-SCUBA Combat Diver, ultimately serving in combat in Vietnam.
Special Forces Training & A-Team Command
Before Vietnam, I commanded a Special Forces A-Team in Panama, operating throughout Latin and South America. We trained in jungle warfare, long-range reconnaissance, and unconventional operations.
Panama is also where I became a Para-SCUBA Combat Diver — jumping from aircraft with SCUBA tanks strapped to my back, often at night, over the open ocean. Those missions challenged every skill I had and deepened my understanding of Special Operations.
My Spanish language training became mission-critical throughout the region, where diplomacy, cultural awareness, and relationship-building mattered as much as tactics.
Vietnam War — ARVN Adviser in the Mekong Delta
Uncle Sam brought me home from Panama and sent me to Vietnamese Language School. From there, as a Captain, I deployed to Vietnam. I spent most of my tour in the Mekong Delta as an combat adviser to a an infantry battalion of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).
From the rice paddies to the dense triple-canopy jungle, I lived in the mud, heat, and uncertainty with my ARVN soldiers — moving in and out of battle for the better part of a year.
During that combat service, I was awarded:
-
Bronze Star Medal (4 awards)
-
Air Medal (2 awards)
-
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
Those citations reflect the courage of the men I served beside more than anything I did alone. Vietnam left its marks, changed my priorities, and set the stage for the next chapters of my life.
Transition to the National Guard & Engineer Corps
When my active-duty time ended, I returned home to Northern California, continuing service while using the GI Bill to get myself through college. I joined the California Army National Guard as a Combat Engineer officer, Company Commander, eventually serving at Ballation HQ, wearing the rank of Major.
During that period, I completed the Engineer Advanced Officer Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia — training that sharpened my leadership, logistics and infrastructure planning skills, field engineering, and problem-solving abilities.
From Combat Leadership to Public Service
That blend of Special Forces discipline, combat experience, and engineering background opened the door to my second career — public service in wildland fire management.
I spent 26 years with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFIRE) in wildland fire operations, eventually retiring as a Unit Chief.
The leadership principles I learned as a Ranger and Green Beret followed me into firefighting, emergency operations, and later into my work in public lands advocacy, sustainable recreation, and volunteer leadership.
Today, I apply those same values — service, stewardship, accountability, and respect — to protecting access to public lands, educating the next generation of responsible recreationists, and preserving the places where Americans find adventure, freedom, and connection.