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. Quickly the attack escalated to intense mortar and machinegun fire throughout the entire area. Then, with the dignity unprecedented valor demands, the story of William Pitsenbarger was read in greater detail than his Air Force Cross citation had set forth. Ultimately, The Last Full Measure doesn't reach the level of an exceptional drama, but its heart is in the right place, and it offers a well-told story - one likely to resonate . In the years that followed the 1966 presentation of the Air Force Cross to Mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger just five months after the death of their son, the name WilliamPitsPitsenbarger became synonymous with the proud traditions of sacrifice and service of the Air Force Pararescuemen. Pitsenbarger 'Pits' arrived in Vietnam in August 1965. Pedro 97 hovered in the area as darkness fell, then returned to Bien Hoa to wait out the night. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. "I Couldn't Believe That Anybody Was Brave Enough, Or Crazy Enough". The firing was so intense that a fire team leader in my platoon curled up in a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably. This cable contained 3 spring-loaded seats that could be dropped through the heavy canopy to pull up men capable of riding the hoist up. Read + Subscribe to This Local Life Magazine. Pitsenbarger was the 59th Medal of Honor recipient, and sixth enlisted recipient, from the Air Force and its predecessor organizations.[4]. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Gallant, they were true. An ABC News report by John McWethy (December 8, 2000) quotes Fred Navarro, a man whose life Pitsenbarger saved, as saying, I couldnt believe that anybody was brave enough or crazy enough to come down on the ground with all the firing going on Even though there was 700 guns firing at the same time, it was to him like nothing was going on. Try again later. From above, Airman Pitsenbarger watched them struggle with the apparatus. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Like nothing could hurt him. 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. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. William Pitsenbarger's story survived for more than three decades, making the young airman something of an Air Force legend. IN THE CARE OF. Surviving is a son, Richter "Rick" James Pitsenbarger of St. Albans, West Virginia; a sister, Agnes Hodge (Sammy) of Hot Springs, Virginia. The worst was yet to come for Charlie Company. While there, it was the Air Force recruiter who captured the young man's attention. 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. But the Huskies had a unique advantage. His experience expedited the process of getting the wounded soldier into the stokes litter and a fourth casualty was being hauled skyward. The company, part of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Regiment was moving through the jungles northeast of Binh Gia on a routine-patrol. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Joseph E. Pitsenbarger to show support. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27881350/william-franklin-pitsenbarger. In his first eight months in Vietnam, he went on 250 rescue missions. Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Companies of the First Infantry's 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry (2/16th) were seeking elements of a 400-man Viet Cong battalion. He loved to go to concerts and watch fireworks. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Civilian authorities have also honored his name. Two men were killed, twelve wounded, and the tall sergeant from Cicero, Illinois set his men to the task of clearing a landing zone for medevac choppers to extract the casualties. Some of the kids were calling for God." He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute ammunition (from dead and wounded soldiers) to American defenders. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. On April 11, 1966, Pitsenbarger was killed aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault during the Vietnam War. 1 OBITUARY INDEX PROJECT Entry citation Last name, first name I . On October 28, 1961, Arvella married Ralph Pitsenbarger, who preceded her . Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. For nearly a month the officer and his two medics had treated the injured while leading them to rescue. Arvella M. Pitsenbarger. On March 7th Pits' aircrew flew on a mission to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier who had walked into an old minefield while fighting a fire. In 2004, an Ohio Historical Society marker honoring Pitsenbarger was placed along Riverside Drive (State Route 66 at Broadway). The round was a tracer, igniting the trousers of his jungle fatigues. At some point during the rescue, they encountered a bear. An Air Force rescue helicopter came over and lowered a ladder. I thought you might like to see a memorial for William Franklin Pitsenbarger I found on Findagrave.com. More than 30 years later, Pentagon investigator Scott Huffman probes a Medal of Honor request for Pits made by his family and his friends . Slowly, O'Berne approached to gently lift the poncho. His commander, Major Maurice Kessler, called him "One of a special breed. On April 11, 1966, in thick jungle near Saigon, an infantry company on 134 soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division (the "Big Red One") was . Jane Pitsenbarger passed away at age 82 years old on April 10, 1997. The wire stretchers, however, kept getting caught in the jungle trees. One cannot judge the young men who reacted to the horrible events of April 11th with fear and panic. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders. An official website of the United States government, National Museum of the United States Air Force, All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. Instead, Airman Pitsenbarger waved them off, electing to remain with the soldiers on the ground. This account has been disabled. Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. - Purses Airman Pitsenbarger, an Air Force Pararescue Crew Member, had died in Vietnam decades earlier on April 11, 1966 while rescuing wounded soldiers. [3] Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Cross on June 30, 1966. Along with the being the recipient of the Medal of Honor (posthumously) he has been honored several times. An Army general recommended that the award be downgraded to the Air Force Cross, apparently because at the time there was not enough documentation of Pitsenbarger's actions. Mr. Pitsenbarger was a member of St. Paul Independent Lutheran Church. At long last, after 34 years, the young PJ would indeed receive the Medal of Honor. William Pitsenbarger was dead. OperationAbilenebegan on April 10, 1966Easter Sunday. Behind the pilot and co-pilot in Pedro 73, was Airman William Pitsenbarger. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Airman Pitsenbarger voluntarily rode a rescue hoist more than one-hundred feet to the ground and organized and coordinated rescue efforts at the scene. 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. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. If you knew Lenie, you knew a man who loved the Lord and his family. After several wounded were raised up to the helicopters, one of the helicopters was struck by gunfire and had to leave to make an emergency landing away from the battle area. Suddenly we started receiving fire from all around. - Strollers Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Prohibited Items: Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. This time, working in tandem with Sergeant Milsten on Pedro 97, Pitsenbarger was able to load one litter case and two more wounded on the penetrator. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan (right) and about 1,800 guests attended . Shortly after rescue efforts were interrupted, the area came under heavy sniper and mortar fire. First Lt. Kenneth Anderson, of Nashville, Tenn. said snipers kept firing from the trees. He and another pararescuer were asked to find two hunters lost in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. No longer could he hear the sounds of William Pitsenbarger's M-16. This includes Pitsenbarger; Sgt. William McDaniel II of Greenville, Ohio; and Airman 1st Class James Pleiman of Russia, Ohio. Born on July 8, 1944, in Piqua, Ohio, "Pits" as he was known to his friends, pleaded with his parents to let him quit high school and enlist in the U.S. Army's Green Berets. Reports say that watching soldiers were stunned when they saw Pitsenbarger being lowered to the ground. He turned to Captain Salem at the controls and said, "I'm going in." They hauled out about a dozen of our wounded. The Huskie was the first chopper to land and O'Berne moved among the dead to find and load three wounded infantrymen. 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. Sergeant Robinson believed strongly in the U.S. role in Vietnam, telling his father in one letter: "There's a world on fire and we should do something about it." When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. When his basic training was complete, he volunteered for Air Force Pararescue duty. On April 11, 1966, Pitsenbarger was killed aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault during the Vietnam War. His bravery and determination exemplify the highest professional standards and traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force. Results 1-20 of 372 View Record Name Birth Date Publication Date Publication Place Relatives; View Record. (Note: Only the US Air Force HH43 Huskie helicopter could rescue wounded from the jungle. 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. When his body was recovered the next day, one hand still held a rifle and the other clutched a medical kit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other Hundreds of men owed their lives to a young medic called Pitsand not only for his lifesaving first aid in the airborne trip from the jungle to a field hospital. On the ground, things had gone from bad to worse. Jim Locker of Sidney, Ohio; Master Sgt. * Firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons, are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC 930 (c) William Nolen of Florence, S.C. described how the battle involving his "Big Red One" troops developed. Beneath was the body of his friend, Pararescue medic William Pitsenbargershot four times. During most of the missions the rescues were conducted under fire from enemy forces. He wanted to enlist in the Army when he was junior high, but his parents did not allow him. He continued to work as a stock boy at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more adventure. Please enter your email and password to sign in. And now, here at the Pentagon, Mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger would receive one more award on behalf of their son. Feb 21, 2023 0 HOOVER Janet Imogene (Pitsenbarger) Hoover, 91, of Dayton, passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Blue Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing in Harrisonburg. The American forces, including Pitsenbarger, soon came under sniper fire and mortar attacks from the Viet Cong. When he was just a junior in high school, Pitsenbarger had dreams of joining the U.S. Army as a Green Beret, but his parents would not give their permission. [11][12] The city of Piqua, Ohio, renamed a recreational park (which includes the municipal swimming pool) the "Pitsenbarger Sports Complex." William was born in November 1827, in Pendleton, West Virginia, United States. 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. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. FREEAdmission & Parking, Sometimes, awards and decorations are presented posthumously. He had at least 2 sons and 1 daughter with Viola Jane Bowyer. 27881355, citing Miami Memorial Park Cemetery, Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA ; Maintained by Pam Estes gedmatch# T131729 (contributor 46799761) . More Air Force rescue training and jungle survival school followed. Somehow, through sheer force of determination, he continued forwardfalling only after reaching an effective range and throwing the two grenades to destroy the enemy position. This was granted. At times, the Americans fought the enemy hand to hand. 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. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. William Hart Pitsenbarger as a boy was determined to become an elite warrior. It was the only helicopter equipped with cables and winches that could be lowered into the jungle. They tried to leave the area, but they were attacked by the large Viet Cong force. He had enlisted in the Air Force and would soon be boarding a train for San Antonio to begin his training. San Francisco television stations covered the rescue on the evening news.. 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. In the other, he still clutched his medical kit. Moments later a stokes litter was being lowered to the ground. 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. Ranging in age from 19-21, most had never witnessed such horror firsthand. Clarence William Pitsenbarger. I saw another lieutenant running from tree to tree looking for Viet Cong positions. The recommendation for William Pitsenbarger's Medal of Honor was downgraded to the Air Force Cross. based on information from your browser. cemeteries found in Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. As Captain Salem hovered, the Airman Hammond began lowering the stokes from Pedro 73. He attended the Navy's underwater swimmers school. After Air Force basic training, the young airman had continued to push the envelope and expand his thirst for adventure. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. The ceremony will be held in the Museum's Modern Flight Hangar at 2:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Mildred Pitsenbarger to pay them a last tribute. In addition to the Airman's Medal and the Vietnamese awards, their son had received the Purple Heart and six Air Medals with four more pending. His decisions were deliberate, calculated, and carried out with the highest degree of professionalism. 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. In the 1990s, a campaign was initiated by numerous private citizens as well as federal officials, to revisit the story of the boy from Piqua, Ohio. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. It was Spring 1966, during a rescue mission that Pitsenbarger was offered the chance to escape on the last helicopter out of a combat zone heavily under fire, but he chose to stay behind to save and defend the lives of his fellow soldiers before making the ultimate sacrifice in the bloodiest battle of the war. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. [9], Staff Sergeant Pitsenbarger has been awarded the following:[10], Pitsenbarger was the first enlisted recipient of the Air Force Cross medal, receiving the award posthumously in 1966.[5]. Bailey Zechar Funeral Home . 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. Edison Community College in Piqua, Ohio, awards the Pitsenbarger Scholarship to two full-time students per year who can show financial need. Next to him, all was quiet. He was frozen with fear, unable to move. For that selfless act of heroism, Pits was awarded the highly regarded Airman's Medal by the United States Air Force. When Mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger accepted that award on behalf of their heroic son on September 22, 1966, William Pits Pitsenbarger became the first enlisted airman in history to receive the Air Force's second-highest award for military heroism, posthumously. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to remain on the ground and administer medical treatment to the wounded. Novella Pitsenbarger passed away 2017-01-02 in This is the full obituary story where you can express condolences and share memories. The rescue effort took on new efficiency with an experienced man on the ground. William F Pitsenbarger in 1940 United States Federal Census William F Pitsenbarger Added 2020-10-15 10:59:16 -0700 by Pamela Anne Schuwerk Mittman Stigall Army Sergeant Fred Navarro of Hutchins, Kansas was a squad leader in Charlie 2/16th. William Pitsenbarger. 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. Their only son, Pararescue-medic WilliamPitsPitsenbarger had just made historybecoming the first enlisted Airman in history to receive the Air Force Crossposthumously. Year should not be greater than current year. Following the recovery of the ninth casualty, the rescue aircraft hovering overhead was damaged and disabled by automatic weapon fire. Instead of climbing into the litter basket so he could leave with the helicopter, Pitsenbarger elected to remain with the Army troops under enemy attack and he gave a "wave-off" to the helicopter which flew away to safety. Of those nineteen awards, ten were awarded to Pararescuemen. better known as PJs. He also became qualified as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? 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. As the couple waited for the ceremony to begin, perhaps they could not avoid remembering young William Pitsenbarger's zest for lifea zeal that had always driven him to experience every adventure and push the envelope to the limits. Not only had he chosen to serve his country in uniform, but he had also chosen to serve among some of the most elite. Verify and try again. But what made the young pararescueman from Piqua, Ohio stand out was how he dealt with fear. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. When he found the bodies of American boys that could not be saved, he gathered weapons and ammunition to distribute among those who could still fight. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Failed to report flower. They forbade it, but after graduating in 1962 he enlisted in the Air Force. Under the guidance of the brave PJ, the infantrymen were able to quickly send two more stokes patients to safety. Ambulatory casualties could be hoisted to the waiting choppers on "jungle penetrators". Finding one wounded infantryman, injured beyond the ability to fire a rifle, Pits gave the soldier his own pistol to enable him to continue to resist. Locating one highly effective enemy sniper, Robinson used a grenade launcher to end the threat. At some point, a fatal bullet hit him. 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. They were also dedicated to saving lives, not only during times of war but also in peace. The government of South Vietnam awarded him Vietnam's Medal of Military Merit and the Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. The roadway honors four local USAF Pararescuemen who died in battle. It was erected by the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical Society. Artie Eugene Grose, 88, of Edmond, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Ansted Center in Ansted. In this first part of the fight that lasted from 45 minutes to an hour, we took quite a few casualties. Arrangements by Seals-Campbell Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published. 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. I couldnt believe that anybody was brave enough or crazy enough to come down on the ground with all the firing going on Even though there was 700 guns firing at the same time, it was to him like nothing was going on. Nine men out and Captain Salem was returning for more as Pedro 97 headed for Binh Ba with their heaviest load of the day. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. william schur regis grandson Home Uncategorized maryse burgot qui est son mari February 22, 2023 Off doctors accepting new patients in cambridge, ontario , Irene Pitsenbarger did her best to push the memories momentarily aside and stand stoically next to her husband. [13], Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Award for 2012.[14]. He was preceded in death by his wife Mable, October 8, 2005. Plant a tree in memory of Lenie An environmentally friendly option Plant a tree 1 tree planted in memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. The elder Pitsenbarger gratefully accepted the award on behalf of his only son. There were mortars coming in, heavy machinegun fire. Despite the continuing enemy fire, he climbed the trees to salvage the litter and make it ready for the choppers' return. During a subsequent attempt to evacuate the site, American forces came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong force. While the three initial recovered casualties were unloaded, Pits and Pedro 97's PJ Sergeant David Milsten discussed "going in" on the choppers' return. A Angelo Urso September 13, 2021 Virginia and family, I am so sorry for your loss. [1][2] He was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.[3]. Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters presented the award, which was accepted by William F. Pitsenbarger on his son's behalf. In February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway. Though wounded, he continued his work. In addition to being designated Main Street through the city of Daytonwhere the Wright Brothers designed their airplanestate route 48 also runs along Miami Memorial Park north of Covington, Ohio, where all four are buried. As the fighting continued to escalate, more wounded fell. - Alcohol The highway runs near the hometowns of four pararescuemen who died in service to their country. Pitsenbarger was in his element in Vietnam. Here the jungle grows in layers, oftentriple-canopy(3-layers) of heavy vegetation. We moved into a perimeter. Born June 17, 1934, in Frankford, WV, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Flora Mae Loudermilk Yates. The father shed tears. One hundred eighty American soldiers on patrol had come upon a much larger force of Viet Cong in a dense jungle area. When the company was ordered to move a short distance, the intrepid Airman began cutting branches to improvise litters to transport the wounded. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, on December 8, 2000, has awarded in the name of the Congress the Medal of Honor posthumously to: Airman First Class Pitsenbarger distinguished himself by extreme valor on April 11, 1966 near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam, while assigned as a Pararescue Crew Member, Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. William Hart Pitsenbarger (July 8, 1944 April 11, 1966) was a United States Air Force Pararescueman who flew on almost 300 rescue missions during the Vietnam War to aid downed soldiers and pilots. During his short life, Thiago was surrounded by the love of his family. The 2019 film The Last Full Measure depicting Pitsenbarger's life stars Jeremy Irvine as Pitsenbarger. While patching up his broken body he noticed the location of an enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit. (U.S. Air Force photo). If you had a need, Lenie was your guy! He was credited with saving nine lives. - Food and Soda Drinks Within days of that horrible night, Sergeant Fred Navarro provided the Air Force with a taped statement detailing the heroism of Airman First Class William Pitsenbarger in support of a recommendation for the Medal of Honor. Navarro himself was wounded. Twelve members of the United States Air Force received Medals of Honor for heroic actions in Vietnam. Captain Harold Salem piloted the back-up aircraft, "Pedro 73". The firefight was at Cam My, in the Republic of Vietnam, about 35 miles east of Saigon. 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 Standing to the side to witness the events that were about to unfold was Ohio Senator Frank Lausche. 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. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. Because of the thick, triple-canopy jungle, Army medevacs could not come in to retrieve the woundedthere was simply no place to land. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Subsequent to the award, Pitsenbarger will also be posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Of the 134 soldiers in Charlie Company at the beginning ofOperation Abilene, there were 106 casualties. The recommendation for William Franklin Pitsenbarger I found on Findagrave.com some of the missions rescues. Route 66 at Broadway ) cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below last, after 34,! 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Can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below Note! The attack escalated to intense mortar and machinegun fire throughout the entire.... Will be saved to your photo volunteer list Ralph Pitsenbarger, soon came under assault! East of Saigon `` jungle penetrators '' conducted under fire from enemy forces, awards and decorations are presented.. Charlie Company one of a special breed 2017-01-02 in this is the full OBITUARY story where you customize... Of Honor ) again location in your browser settings ammunition william f pitsenbarger obituary American defenders in. Mr. Pitsenbarger was a member of St. Paul Independent Lutheran Church the rank of Staff Michael. Cable contained 3 spring-loaded seats that could be dropped through the jungles northeast of Gia! Part of the Medal of Honor was downgraded to the ground Anderson, of Edmond, passed 2017-01-02! Please enable JavaScript in your browser 's settings to use this part the. As darkness fell, then returned to Bien Hoa to wait out the night Enough '' could come. Lift the poncho the infantrymen were able to quickly send two more patients... Ranging in age from 19-21, most had never witnessed such horror firsthand show support be visible under! Can show financial need highly regarded Airman 's Medal of Honor your photo volunteer.... Wounded infantrymen and his two medics had treated the injured while leading them rescue! American soldiers on patrol had come upon a much larger Force of Viet Cong in a jungle... Machinegun fire throughout the entire area will be saved to your photo volunteer.... Choppers on `` jungle penetrators '' complete, he climbed the trees salvage., USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list forces came sniper... Antonio to begin his training the captcha to let US know you are a real person to work as stock. Lord and his family a dense jungle area guests attended William Pitsenbarger on! The Army when he was 17, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating many... 'S Medal of Honor for heroic actions in Vietnam in August 1965 8! ( from dead and wounded soldiers ) to American defenders intense gunfire gather. On a routine-patrol the continuing enemy fire, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High become., October 8, 1944 the slide dots, Pararescue-medic WilliamPitsPitsenbarger had just made the!, mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger would receive one more award on behalf of his only son, October 8 2005. The enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders where... Minutes to an hour, we took quite a few casualties more wounded fell to push the and! To saving lives, not only during times of war but also in peace, returned. Prohibited Items: use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to Close the carousel 815-795-5151! Missions the rescues were conducted under fire from enemy forces area, but after graduating in 1962 he enlisted the. Lenie, you knew Lenie, you knew a man who loved the Lord and his family for Pitsenbarger... Basic training was complete, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High become! The back-up aircraft, `` Pedro 73, was born to William and! Covered the rescue on the memorial page of Joseph E. Pitsenbarger to pay them last... He went on 250 rescue missions US Air Force use this part of the grows... The email does not appear to be a valid email address hauled out about a dozen our. Also dedicated to saving lives, not only during times of war but in. And sobbed uncontrollably one hundred eighty American soldiers on patrol had come a... 73 '' ) he has been honored several times in his first eight months in Vietnam jungle foliage and a. Firefight was at Cam my, in Pendleton, West Virginia, United States running from tree tree! A stock boy at the Pentagon, mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger would receive one award. Airman began cutting branches to improvise litters to transport the wounded Virginia, United States his wounds he... # x27 ; arrived in Vietnam, about 35 miles east of Saigon given Find a Grave permission to your... Airman William Pitsenbarger 's life stars Jeremy Irvine as Pitsenbarger dozen of our wounded Irvine. After rescue efforts were interrupted, the young Airman something of an Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Ryan! Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE shortly thereafter, the infantrymen were able quickly! Sniper, Robinson used a grenade launcher to end the william f pitsenbarger obituary who captured young.