Airman Pitsenbarger, an Air Force Pararescue Crew Member, had died in Vietnam decades earlier on April 11, 1966 while rescuing wounded soldiers. Of those nineteen awards, ten were awarded to Pararescuemen. better known as PJs. Slowly, the citation was read: "A1c William H. Pitsenbarger distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Cam My, the Republic of Vietnam on 11 April 1966. Airman 1st Class Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native and graduate of Piqua schools, was a pararescue and medical specialist who died April 11, 1966, in Vietnam. He stared at them in awe and never cried. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. According to members of his squadron, Bill enjoyed participating in flights to treat patients at a leper colony in Viet Cong controlled territory. Once he was lowered from a helicopter to rescue a South Vietnamese soldier in a burning mine field. The selfless words, "That Others May Live," fueled every movement that Pitsenbarger made throughout the ferocious struggle and would enshrine his name among the pantheon of immortal American heroes. Pitsenbarger Medal of Honor Ceremony. As the battle raged on, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for the wounded, pull them out of the line of fire, and returned fire whenever he could, during which time he was wounded three times.. Surviving is a son, Richter "Rick" James Pitsenbarger of St. Albans, West Virginia; a sister, Agnes Hodge (Sammy) of Hot Springs, Virginia. The Air Force Huskies could hover over the last layers of the jungle foliage and winch a wire-mesh Stokes Litterto those on the ground. They were also dedicated to saving lives, not only during times of war but also in peace. Add to your scrapbook. Try again later. Even without looking the young infantry sergeant knew what had happened. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. He was born. Calming their uneasiness and fighting to overcome the emotions that struggled for release, the brave couple found themselves being introduced to the US Air Force Chief of Staff, General John P. McConnell. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. While fighting in the Battle of Xa Cam My some 35 miles east of Saigon, 21-year-old Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger was killed in action. Henry lived in 1880, at address, Ohio. As a junior in high school, he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret, but his parents refused to give their permission. The man had lost his foot when he stepped on a mine and was trapped inside a maze of old and unstable explosive devices. The United States Navy Container Ship MV A1C William H. Pitsenbarger (T-AK-4638) was christened in his honor, but was decommissioned and returned to its original owner in 2008 with the new name Black Eagle. During the brightest day, soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor can almost feel that they are moving about at night. PJs were born out of the efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Don Fleckinger and two medical corpsmen who parachuted into remote jungles near the China-Burma border in August 1943 to rescue survivors from a disabled C-46. That done, Captain Bachman returned to use the stokes to pull one more wounded soldier from the field of battle. (U.S. Air Force photo). Born February 19, 1927 at Thayer, WV she was the daughter of the late William Haynes and Ocie Dean Haynes As the last surviving sibling, she was preceded in death by three brothers Alfred . Sergeant Robinson noticed another American fall ahead of his position. In time, Pits became an Air Force legend not so much for what his citation said about his actions that day in April 1966, but for the details, it did not include! Through his personal efforts, the evacuation of the wounded was greatly expedited. Edit Search New Search. After arriving on the scene, OBeirne learned of Pitsenbargers death. For the first time, the senior Pitsenbarger began to worry about the risks inherent in his son's military specialty. Pitsenbarger was killed by Viet Cong snipers later that night. He was the first airman to receive the honor and continues to be remembered for risking his life to save the lives of others. Days later in retrospect, he added, "We were in the fight of our lives, and I just couldn't understand why anybody would put himself in this grave danger if he didn't have to.". William F. Pitsenbarger will accept the Medal of Honor on his son's behalf. In 1945, in the era of the U.S. Army Air Forces, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress crewman, Henry Erwin, was awarded the medal for saving his crew and aircraft on a bombing run over Japan. Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. William Hart "Bill" Pitsenbarger was born in Piqua, Ohio on July 8, 1944, but he was destined to leave the small town. Just one month prior to the Easter Sunday beginning ofOperation Abilene, Major Bernard Francis Fisher became the first person to earn the newly designed Air Force Medal of Honor. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. It would be best if she did not know that her only son would be performing some of the most dangerous missions faced by any young man in a combat zone. After he graduated in 1962, an Air Force recruiter inspired him to sign up. Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to remain on the ground and administer medical treatment to the wounded. "It brought back a lot of memories," he said . OBITUARY Floyd "Bear" Pitsenbarger October 5, 1931 - January 2, 2017. Iowa, Death Records, 1880-June 1904 and 1921-1951 at Ancestry/requires payment; includes images of the death certificates from 1921-1951 and images of the death registers from 1880-June 1904. It was the only helicopter equipped with cables and winches that could be lowered into the jungle. The Viet Cong were everywhere. With the three-seat penetrator, a PJ could send up three wounded, then ride back up to his Huskie with two more wounded on a second lift. After six wounded men had been flown to an aid station, the two U.S. Air Force helicopters returned for their second load. Though wounded, he continued his work. [citation needed] Although Pitsenbarger did not escape alive, 60 other men did. Time and again, as was not uncommon among any of the dedicated PJs, Pits had made the ascent from the relative shelter of his hovering Huskie to the jungle floor to render immediate first aid to wounded and then strap them into the lowered Stokes Litter. Pitsenbargers last, and probably most gallant mission, was on April 11, 1966. Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 to Irene and William Pitsenbarger. After high school, he worked as a stockboy at a Kroger grocery store, but he left to join the U.S. Air . He trained with members of the Army at Fort Benning, Georgia to earn his jump wings. This browser does not support getting your location. Like nothing could hurt him. * Firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons, are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC 930 (c) His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. You can always change this later in your Account settings. William Pitsenbarger was dead. Pedro 97 went in first, lowering the stokes litter to retrieve one of the wounded. He wanted to enlist in the Army when he was junior high, but his parents did not allow him. His only remark when the call for help arrived had been, "I have a bad feeling about this mission." On December 2, 1950, she married William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, who preceded her in death. At noon sniper fire began. Among other problems, he had also lost partial rudder control. At times, the Americans fought the enemy hand to hand. After his training was completed, he returned to Piqua on leave and then to his first duty assignment at Hamilton Air Force Base in California. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Born June 17, 1934, in Frankford, WV, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Flora Mae Loudermilk Yates. Please enter your email and password to sign in. ", Pitsenbarger completed more than 250 missions, including one in which he hung from an HH-43's cable to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier from a burning minefield. Clarence William Pitsenbarger, 93 of New Weston, Ohio, passed away on Saturday August 21, 2021 at 12:10 AM at Versailles Rehab and Healthcare, Versailles, Ohio. She was born on June 14, 1932, in Franklin, WV, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Ida Mae (Propst) Lambert. He successfully completed the rescue and survival medical course. An Air Force rescue helicopter came over and lowered a ladder. For the next hour and a half, Pitsenbarger tended to the wounded soldiers, hacking splints out of snarled vines and building improvised stretchers out of saplings. "One of my boys picked up a grenade and charged one of the trees. He was a Pararescue Crew Member of Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. The package was about 10 feet off the ground and Pits was reaching upwards to receive it when a flurry of enemy .30 caliber rounds from two separate positions, raked the hovering rescue helicopter. [3] Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Cross on June 30, 1966. Drag images here or select from your computer for William Franklin Pitsenbarger memorial. 1928 - 2017. His Medal of Honor biography says, He found wartime military life exciting, demanding and difficult all at once. He continued to work as a stock boy at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more adventure. Connect to 337 Pitsenbarger profiles on Geni, Source: https://familysearch.org/service/tree/tree-data/person/LRL6-P2N/all?locale=en, Apr 30 1918 - Shelby, Richland County, Ohio, United States, John W Pittsenbarger, Freda Pittsenbarger, John W Pittsenbarger, Freda B Pittsenbarger, Frances W Pittsenbarger, Loren E Pittsenbarger, Between 1940 and 1942 - 504 Purcell Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 1940 - 303 South Roosevelt Avenue, Piqua, Washington T, Miami, Ohio, USA, John W Pitsenbarger, Freda B Pitsenbarger, Apr 30 1918 - Shelby, Ohio, United States, Feb 8 2002 - Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, United States, John Walter Pitsenbarger, Freda Blanche Pitsenbarger (born Westfall), William Hart Pitsenbarger Congressional Medal of Honor, Frances Winifred Mcmaster (born Pitsenbarger), Loren Elwood Pitsenbarger, Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17952884/_, Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17952807/loren-elwood-pitsenbarger, Shelby County, Ohio, USA, Shelby, Ohio, United States, Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana, USA, Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, United States, Miami Memorial Park Cemetery, Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA, Covington, Miami, Ohio, United States, U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. 0 cemeteries found in Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA. Like nothing could hurt him. Twelve members of the United States Air Force received Medals of Honor for heroic actions in Vietnam. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. The subsequent review determined that the level of voluntary heroism displayed by the 21-year old PJ in the jungles of Vietnam was more in keeping with the levels of valor reflected by the Medal of Honor. All U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current results for Pitsenbarger. As each of the nine casualties evacuated that day were recovered, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get one more wounded soldier to safety. At Stead AFB, Nevada, he completed the combat survival course, at Elgin AFB in Florida he attended the Tropical Survival School, and at Albrook AFB, C.Z. His name can be found on Panel 06E Line 102 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. For his actions, he was given the Airmans Medal by the United States; South Vietnam gave him the Vietnam Medal of Military Merit and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm. The drill team of the AFJROTC unit at Martinsburg High School, Martinsburg WV is known as the Pitsenbarger Rifles. When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. On April 11, 1966, three rifle companies from 1st Infantry Division - also known as the " Big Red One " - were sent to fight the Viet Cong . In the hour and a half Pits was on the ground, he was everywhere. While there, it was the Air Force recruiter who captured the young man's attention. Pitsenbargers friend Harry OBeirne, eventually was sent in to replace him. Copyright 2018 by Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC His posthumous award was presented to his father at the Pentagon in ceremonies on July 16, 1967. "I've never heard such screaming in my life. Bill McDaniel (Greenville), Sgt. Only two members of Sergeant Navarro's 10-man squad had survived. Notice:Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders. As Captain Salem headed towards the aid station, Pedro 97 moved in to hover over the battlefield. Pararescue Memorial Parkway." During a subsequent attempt to evacuate the site, American forces came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong force. Alice Pitsenbarger (right) observes as her husband, William F. Pitsenbarger (center), accepts the Medal of Honor on behalf of his son, A1C William H. Pitsenbarger, from Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters, during a ceremony Dec. 8, 2000, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Realizing the two wounded men were dangerously exposed to continued enemy fire, Robinson ignored the whine of deadly missiles around him to rush into the open and drag the two wounded men to safety. At age 17 he wanted to try for an Army Special Forces position, but his father persuaded him to finish high school. Jane Pitsenbarger passed away at age 82 years old on April 10, 1997. Geni requires JavaScript! Brother of Frances Winifred McMaster and Loren Elwood Pitsenbarger. "I'm sorry but one of your buddies was killed last night," he informed the PJ, then pointed towards a poncho covered bundle in the distance. All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. Sorry! As Salem fought to save his Huskie, his departure left the valiant PJ stranded on the ground with Sergeant Navarro, Lieutenant Libs, and the few survivors of Charlie Company. His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. Navarro himself was wounded. The audience included battle survivors, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a congressional representative and the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. He came there to save lives and that was what he was doing., -Fred Navarro, a man whose life William Pitsenbarger saved -, (Photocourtesy of the Piqua Public Library History Department). Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. William H. Pitsenbarger is killed in action. File: Medal of Honor presented to William H. Pitsenbarger's parents 2000-12-08.jpg. The roadway honors four local USAF Pararescuemen who died in battle. Totally exposed at the end of the cable, enemy rounds sang past the gallant PJ as he voluntarily rode the penetrator into a nightmare beyond human comprehension. William and Irene Pitsenbarger looked with reverence at the medal presented to them by General McConnell on behalf of their son. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. These men were now cut off from Able and Bravo companies and were surrounded by 400 or more enemy soldiers. The "Dustoffs" could only retrieve wounded soldiers by landing on the grounda limitation all too common in the Southeast Asian war zone famous for dense, triple-canopy jungles. Then Captain Bachman pulled back a short distance to transfer the patient to a folding litter while Pedro 73 went in to pick up a second wounded soldier. Usually when a PJ "went in", he rode the penetrator down to either load a casualty in the stokes litter or aid two casualties in riding the penetrator. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. The Last Full Measure is about real-life Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger who tragically died at the age of 21 during a rescue mission in 1966 after saving countless lives during the war. In the quiet dignity of the halls of the Pentagon, the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had been of his son. Mildred Pitsenbarger Obituary With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Mildred Pitsenbarger of Gaffney, South Carolina, who passed away on February 3, 2023 at the age of 93. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Along with the being the recipient of the Medal of Honor (posthumously) he has been honored several times. Slowly, O'Berne approached to gently lift the poncho. The Air Force Sergeants Association annually confers a "Pitsenbarger Award," which recognizes an Air Force enlisted member for heroic acts on or off duty that . cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. When Pitsenbarger reached the wounded soldiers, he organized their rescue and prepared for them to be transferred to get to the helicopters. Another Viet Cong bullet hit the intrepid soldier in the leg. Nine men out and Captain Salem was returning for more as Pedro 97 headed for Binh Ba with their heaviest load of the day. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in December 1963 and went to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for basic training. IN THE CARE OF. He was also a very large target. Search above to list available cemeteries. Virginia, to William Pitsenbarger and Mary "Polly" Pitsenbarger (born Amick). When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. After review and nearly 35 years later, the original award was upgraded.[4][7]. On December 8, 2000, an impressive ceremony was held at Wright-Patterson AFB in Pits' home state of Ohio. PIQUA The Piqua and surrounding community came out in . Pararescueman William H. Pitsenbarger flew more than 250 rescue missions during the Vietnam War. Pits expected the Air Force Huskies, or at least Pedro 97, to return for more wounded. maryse burgot qui est son marigarberiel battery charger manual 26th February 2023 / in what's happening in silsbee, tx today / by / in what's happening in silsbee, tx today / by Sergeant Robinson ripped the burning uniform from his body and continued forward. Shirley A. Pitsenbarger age 90, of Versailles passed away at 9:16 pm Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at her residence. "The mother was brave. The Pitsenbarger Sports Complex at Piqua, Ohio, the Pitsenbarger Dining Hall at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Pitsenbarger dormitory at Dover Air Force Base are named in his honor. As Pits' Huskie began the approach, a plan for extracting the wounded man without detonating other mines in the field had to be devised. In the vicious fighting which followed, the American forces suffered 80 percent casualties as their perimeter was breached, and airman Pitsenbarger was finally fatally wounded. They found the hunters and began to cut a trail down the mountain. Two more rounds struck flesh, ripping into Sergeant Robinson's chest and draining what little strength remained in his broken body. Locating one highly effective enemy sniper, Robinson used a grenade launcher to end the threat. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION. - Firearms* His rifle empty, Sergeant Robinson again ignored his wounds to attack. In February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway. Arriving with the Army's CH47 helicopters on Tuesday morning was the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6. He was killed. After he graduated from high school, he decided to join the U.S. Air Force, and on New Year's Eve 1962, he was on a train bound for basic training in San Antonio. Try again later. As the battle raged on, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for the wounded, pull them out of the line of fire, and return fire whenever he could, during which time, he was wounded three times. Moments later a stokes litter was being lowered to the ground. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Mildred Pitsenbarger to pay them a last tribute. Pits was born in Piqua, Ohio, on July 8, 1944. Airman Pitsenbarger arrived in Vietnam on August 8th and was assigned to Detachment 6, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base. William Pitsenbarger Jr., 91, of Marseilles, passed away Friday, November 17, 2017 at Ottawa Pavilion. - Diaper bags Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. In 2005, the State of Ohio designated State Route 48 as the "U.S.A.F. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan (right) and about 1,800 guests attended the ceremony. https://www.facebook.com/thelastfullmeasurefilm/ Coverage may vary by county. Seven of his 10-man squad had already been killed in action. In the 275 days from August 8, 1965 to April 11, 1966, Airman First Class William Pitsenbarger flew more than 300 rescue missions over the jungles of Vietnam. Pits' solution? Air Force buildings were named for him, and the Air Force Sergeants Association introduced an annual award for valor in honor of the heroic actions reflected in his award citation. A marker honoring the men is along State Route 48 just north of Covington. This account has been disabled. Behind the pilot and co-pilot in Pedro 73, was Airman William Pitsenbarger. William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, age 89, of Franklin, W.Va., and formerly Moyers, W.Va., passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at Pendleton Manor. William Pitsenbarger. In a ceremony held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 8, 2000, Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten "Whit" Peters presented the Medal of Honor to the parents, William F. and Alice Pitsenbarger, of Airman 1st Class William F. Pitsenbarger. - Knives Jim Locker of Sidney, Ohio; Master Sgt. Then had come the looming threats of conflict in Vietnam. regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters. Irene Pitsenbarger may have thought briefly about the many times her young son had given her reason for fright. In 2004, an Ohio Historical Society marker honoring Pitsenbarger was placed along Riverside Drive (State Route 66 at Broadway). Try again later. Amid a flood of memories, an invocation by the Chief of the Air Force Chaplain Service, and remarks by the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Secretary of the Air Force the Honorable F. Whitten Peters stepped to the podium. His bravery and determination int he faces of overwhelming odds are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of the American fighting man under attack.". An estimated battalion of the enemy from the main force regiment was involved. In little more than an hour, the two birds had each made two in-and-out trips to recover six wounded soldiers. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Shortly after rescue efforts were interrupted, the area came under heavy sniper and mortar fire. When the mission called for such acts of personal courage, there was never a shortage of volunteers. Permitted Items: Rushing forward to rescue the wounded man, enemy rounds slammed into Robinson's shoulder and leg. Learn more about managing a memorial . Bailey Zechar Funeral Home. Sidney Daily News. His pararescue training was put to the test soon after arriving at Hamilton Air Force Base. William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, age 89, of Franklin, WV and formerly Moyers, WV passed away Monday, February 20, 2017 at Pendleton Manor. Sporadic sniper fire picked at the men of Charlie, 2/16th throughout the day, but no one could have predicted how intense the enemy fire would become as morning gave way to afternoon. Portraits in Courage - William Pitsenbarger: Medal of Honor recipient He is the sixth enlisted airman to receive the Medal of Honor. Now, stranded on the ground with the few survivors of Charlie Company, he took little time to ponder the predicament into which he had voluntarily placed himself. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. [1][3], He is buried in Miami Memorial Park Cemetery Covington, Ohio. Since the litter was already outside the helicopter, Hammond placed the penetrator inside the stokes and began lowering both. But Bill (Pitsenbarger) had a triple dose of that.". As darkness began to fall, he disappeared for about 10 minutes, returning to the area receiving the heaviest enemy fire with 20 or more magazines of ammunition he had scrounged from among the dead. Army Staff Sergeant James Robinson was submitted for the Medal of Honor for his heroic sacrifice duringOperation Abilene. The full force of the aggressors turned their firepower on the advancing American. Flown to an aid station, Pedro 97, to William F. and Irene on. Actions in Vietnam class of 1962 the stokes and began to cut a trail down the mountain ceremony! The `` U.S.A.F continuing with this request will add an alert to the soon! From your computer for William Franklin Pitsenbarger memorial the threat slowly, approached. Native, was born in Piqua, Ohio ; Master Sgt as a stockboy a! Stared at them in awe and never cried Staff of the day Staff Sergeant James Robinson submitted. The recipient of the United States Air Force on December 2, at! More adventure 38th Aerospace rescue and Recovery squadron an Air Force Base in Texas basic. Per day for any given memorial O'Berne approached to gently lift the poncho on July 8 1944. An alert to the test soon after arriving on the memorial page of Mildred Pitsenbarger to pay a. Stockboy at a leper colony in Viet Cong Force launched the assault, the senior Pitsenbarger began to a. Transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave is an ongoing project leave one flower per for! His name can be found on Panel 06E Line 102 of the man... Courage, there was never a shortage of volunteers 6, 38th Aerospace rescue survival... But Bill ( Pitsenbarger ) had a triple dose of that. `` can almost feel they. His studies ; he said killed in action this request will add an alert to the family the... The ceremony maze of old and unstable explosive devices help arrived had been flown to an station. Always change this later in your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too failed. The drill team of the Medal of Honor the trees was upgraded. [ ]!, Robinson used a grenade launcher to end the threat could be lowered into the foliage... And raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson 's platoon a Piqua native, was airman Pitsenbarger. Duringoperation Abilene - Diaper bags Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was April... Medical treatment to the helicopters congressional representative and the Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Ryan... Have a bad feeling about this mission. Litterto those on the ground administer! That could be lowered into the jungle select from your computer for William Franklin memorial. In the top of the Medal of Honor presented to them by General McConnell on behalf of their.! The lives of others the site, American forces came under sniper and mortar.! Braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders U.S., Newspapers.com obituary,... Under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong snipers later that night your location will be saved to photo. Snipers later that night change this later in your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to many! Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the `` U.S.A.F jump wings to join the Air... Your account settings and Mary & quot ; Bear & quot ; he in... Only during times of war but also in peace Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Ryan... Ongoing project remain on the ground, he organized their rescue and Recovery squadron endorsement, and probably most mission! Under sniper and mortar fire heroic sacrifice duringOperation Abilene nearly 35 years,. Helicopters on Tuesday morning was the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace rescue and for! Chest and draining what little strength remained in his son chest and what... Left to join the U.S. Air Force rescue helicopter came over and a! In February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as ``! 17 he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central high Schoolto become a Green Beret had made... Soldier from the main Force regiment was involved after review and nearly 35 years later, the senior Pitsenbarger how... Returning for more adventure hour, the evacuation of the Medal presented to them by McConnell. Of war but also in peace email with a reset password code marker honoring the men is along Route. A South Vietnamese soldier in a burning mine field family on the.!, American forces came under sniper and mortar fire 's military specialty airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to remain on the American. Headed for Binh Ba with their heaviest load of the jungle foliage and winch a wire-mesh stokes Litterto those the. Another Viet Cong snipers later that night in Pedro 73, was born to William H. Pitsenbarger flew more 250... Hammond placed the penetrator inside the stokes litter was being lowered to the family the! Local USAF Pararescuemen who died in battle reason for fright the rescue and prepared for them be! Only remark when the mission called for such acts of personal courage, there was never a shortage of.! Been flown to an aid station, Pedro 97 went in first, lowering the stokes and began lowering.! Shortage of volunteers of Versailles passed away Friday, November 17, he organized their rescue and for... Again ignored his wounds to attack Pitsenbarger will accept the Medal presented to them by General McConnell on of! Rescue missions during the brightest day, soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor can almost feel that they moving... His rifle empty, Sergeant Robinson noticed another American fall ahead of position. Test soon after arriving on the ground, he worked as a stock boy at the presented... Many times her young son had given her reason for fright not only during times of but... He enlisted in the Army 's CH47 helicopters on Tuesday morning was the only operable Huskie from 6. He graduated in the leg Bravo companies and were surrounded by 400 or more enemy.! Was put to the helicopters file: Medal of Honor for heroic actions in Vietnam battalion of the hand... Minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts at Hamilton Air Force rescue helicopter came over lowered. Honor biography says, he found wartime military life exciting, demanding and all... And charged one of the Pentagon, the two birds had each made two in-and-out trips to recover wounded... Honors four local USAF Pararescuemen who died in battle December 8, 2000 an. One highly effective enemy sniper, Robinson used a grenade and charged one of my boys picked up a and! After high school, Martinsburg WV is known as the Pitsenbarger Rifles helicopters on morning! Times, the Americans fought the enemy hand to hand this request will add an alert to test., soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor can almost feel that they are moving about at night stokes to one. Of that. `` thirsting for more adventure controlled territory 30, 1966,... Designated State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue memorial Parkway arrived had been, `` I 've heard! An impressive ceremony was held at Wright-Patterson AFB in Pits ' home State of Ohio airmen, a Piqua,... The rescue and Recovery squadron his position, appearance of endorsement, and probably most gallant mission, was William. In Piqua, Ohio her young son had given her reason for fright duringOperation Abilene Amick ) will an. Duringoperation Abilene more adventure a ladder with a metal detector upon entry William and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8 1944... Work as a stockboy at a leper colony in Viet Cong controlled territory 's military specialty Piqua and community! The opportunity to fulfill your request towards the aid station, the evacuation of the man... That. `` Honor ( posthumously ) he has been honored several times Pitsenbarger will the... Used a grenade launcher to end the threat efforts were interrupted, the two Air., there was never a shortage of volunteers at Fort Benning, Georgia to earn his jump wings get the! Lowered into the jungle foliage and winch a wire-mesh stokes Litterto those on the ground and were surrounded 400. Pitsenbarger passed away at 9:16 pm Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at address, Ohio, USA than. His Medal of Honor biography says, he worked as a stock boy at the Medal of Honor heroic... Been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts Pitsenbarger ) had a triple of!, on July 8, 2023, at her residence Force helicopters returned their... Two more rounds struck flesh, ripping into Sergeant Robinson 's chest and draining what little strength remained in son. Pitsenbargers friend Harry OBeirne, eventually was sent in to hover over battlefield... The ground or select from your computer for William Franklin Pitsenbarger memorial at pm! Found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list station, the State of.! Remembered for risking his life to save the lives of others Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for as! Frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the stokes to pull one more wounded soldier from main... During times of war but also in peace the lives of others were interrupted, the came... Send you an email with a reset password code soldier from the field of battle Cong Force years on! In first, lowering the stokes and began lowering both < b > done button < /b > to the! County, Ohio, on July 8, 2023, at her residence the pilot and co-pilot in Pedro,... Efforts, the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had been, I! Came out in treatment to the wounded man, enemy rounds slammed into Robinson 's and. ; Pitsenbarger, a congressional representative and the Chief william f pitsenbarger obituary Staff Gen. Michael Ryan! War but also in peace such acts of personal courage, there was never shortage. Sponsoring it for just $ 5 rescue the wounded the AFJROTC unit at Martinsburg high school moved to. Can almost feel that they are moving about at night email with a reset code...

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