6/6/1944
Lieutenant junior grade(LTjg) Alvin Edward Vetter was born 27 August 1921 in Fredericksburg, Texas. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 23 January 1942. On 24 December 1942, he received his commission in the United States Naval Reserve through the Naval Reserve Midshipmen School, Northwestern University. He then attended Navy Mine Disposal School at American University Campus, Washington, D.C. Upon graduation from Mine Disposal School Class #9 on 19 June 1943, LTjg Vetter was assigned to Naval Combat Demolition Unit #23.
Naval Combat Demolition Unit #23 was part of a Gap Assault Team for Operation NEPTUNE. The mission of Operation NEPTUNE was to conduct beach obstacle clearing operations for the Normandy Landings (known as D-Day) on OMAHA Beach. The Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944 were critical to establishing a foothold to further repel Germany’s invasion of France. Operation NEPTUNE was the first phase of the Allied landing operations in France during World War II. LTjg Vetter’s team was assigned to Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) 13 as part of Assault Group O-1, V Corps, U.S. 1st Army, Western Naval Task Force, Eleventh Amphibious Force, U.S. Fleet Task Force 122, in support of 16th Infantry Division’s landing.
On 6 June 1944, LTjg Vetter was killed in action by enemy fire while conducting Operation NEPTUNE, and was buried in the Llano City Cemetery, Llano, Texas.
LTjg Alvin Edward Vetter was awarded the Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, European-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation as part of Naval Combat Demolition Unit of Force “O” for the performance and successful accomplishment of their mission.