Over the months that followed William Pitsenbarger did his best to downplay the dangers of his job in his letters home. 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. The wire stretchers, however, kept getting caught in the jungle trees. 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. 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. 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. With heavy mortar and small-arms fire, the helicopters could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger. During his basic training in early 1963, he volunteered for Pararescue. Meanwhile, Alpha and Bravo Companies poised themselves for a rescue attempt at daylight. His role had taken him to Perth, Australia as a Pararescue-medic in the earliest days of the space program, working on the Gemini and Mercury space probe recoveries. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. - Firearms* ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, All Major Military Award Recipients (PDF). 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. Pitsenbarger, or simply "Pits," grew up in the small town of Piqua in Ohio as an only child. When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. Results 1-20 of 39 View Record Name Birth Date Publication Date Death Place; View Record. IN THE CARE OF. Irene Pitsenbarger may have thought briefly about the many times her young son had given her reason for fright. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. At six feet, three inches tall he was an inspiring sight for the beleaguered men of his platoon. Upon completing his first TDY assignment, he volunteered to return and received orders in 1965 to report to Detachment 6, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon. In one lifeless hand Pits still held his M-16 rifle. Part of Pitsenbarger uniform is on display in the Southeast Asia Gallery of the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. William Pitsenbarger was dead. Pitsenbarger, an airman 1st class at the time, originally was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1966. - Box cutters He was also a very large target. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Pitsenbarger was in his element in Vietnam. Virginia, to William Pitsenbarger and Mary "Polly" Pitsenbarger (born Amick). The round was a tracer, igniting the trousers of his jungle fatigues. While patching up his broken body he noticed the location of an enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit. This is a carousel with slides. After arriving on the scene, OBeirne learned of Pitsenbargers death. Pitsenbargers Medal of Honor citation says, When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. He had at least 2 sons and 1 daughter with Viola Jane Bowyer. 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 Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Airman Pitsenbarger stayed behind, on the ground, to perform medical duties. A native of rural Piqua, Ohio, Pitsenbarger saw the first light of life on July 8, 1944. This was granted. 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. It was the Air Force Cross, our Nation's second-highest award for military valor by a member of the United States Air Force. Weapons, https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations. On April 11, 1966, a call came to help 134 men of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion . This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. The roadway honors four local USAF Pararescuemen who died in battle. 0 cemeteries found in Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA. 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. His pararescue training was put to the test soon after arriving at Hamilton Air Force Base. [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]. The two Huskies then turned towards the field aid station 7 miles away near the village of Binh Ba. Pedro 97 went in first, lowering the stokes litter to retrieve one of the wounded. If you knew Lenie, you knew a man who loved the Lord and his family. Jim Locker (Sidney) and A1C James Pielman (Russia). On April 11, 1966, his day off, he volunteered to board one of two Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters dispatched to extract a half-dozen or so wounded soldiers pinned down in a firefight near Cam My, a rural area of Vietnam located 35 miles east of Saigon. 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. Arrangements by Seals-Campbell Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published. The man had lost his foot when he stepped on a mine and was trapped inside a maze of old and unstable explosive devices. 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. He was killed. As the enemy pulled back from the surrounded remainder of Charlie Company, in the total darkness of the jungle, civilian women and children under Viet Cong control slipped through the underbrush to recover the VC dead and wounded. In this first part of the fight that lasted from 45 minutes to an hour, we took quite a few casualties. The enemy fire reached out to tear flesh and the medic fell to the ground. [8] During the same ceremony he was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff sergeant. Four years after William Pitsenbarger's death, Airman First Class John Lee Levitow became the first and only enlisted airman to receive our Nation's highest military award. He wanted to enlist in the Army when he was junior high, but his parents did not allow him. 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. He was chosen for pararescue duty and sent to several military schools in a variety of locations for further training: survival school, Army Infantry Jump School, Rescue and Survival Technicians Medical Course, Naval School of Underwater Swimmers and Air Rescue Service Transition Tree Jump Training. Three of the men died in Vietnam and one in the Gulf War. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute ammunition (from dead and wounded soldiers) to American defenders. PIQUA The Piqua and surrounding community came out in . Captain Ronald Bachman piloted the primary HH-43, call sign "Pedro 97". Oops, we were unable to send the email. Yes, the elder Pitsenbarger was justly proud of his son. Quickly the attack escalated to intense mortar and machinegun fire throughout the entire area. Standing to the side to witness the events that were about to unfold was Ohio Senator Frank Lausche. "At the conclusion of the award, I felt that I was spiritually cleansed and fortified for a better rendition of service in the responsibility which I have for my government.". Behind the pilot and co-pilot in Pedro 73, was Airman William Pitsenbarger. Senior Department of Defense and Air Force officials . Those who knew Pitsenbarger will never forget his courage and willingness to go the last mile to save a soldier. He loved to help and bless anybody he could. Resend Activation Email. Sorry! Open9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Brother of Frances Winifred McMaster and Loren Elwood Pitsenbarger. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. 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! He came there to save lives and that was what he was doing.. Born June 17, 1934, in Frankford, WV, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Flora Mae Loudermilk Yates. Mr. Pitsenbarger was a member of St. Paul Independent Lutheran Church. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. 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. NAME: Jonathan B. Pittsenborger GENDER: Male MARRIAGE DATE: 21 Nov 1839 MARRIAGE PLACE: Darke, Ohio, USA SPOUSE: Mary Pittsenberger FILM NUMBER: 001030772 From Ancestry.com J. Pitsenbarger in the 1880 United States Federal Census He loved to go to concerts and watch fireworks. Find a Grave, database and images ( https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 25 April 2020), memorial page for Irene E. Hart Pitsenbarger (17 Nov 1914-4 Dec 1991), Find a Grave Memorial no. for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Cam My, April 11, 1966: 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm, Republic of Vietnam Medal of Military Merit, Detachment 6, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, National Museum of the United States Air Force, List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War, "William H. Pitsenbarger: Bravest Among the Brave Vietnam War Veteran", "Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger", "Sebastian Stan and all-star cast elevate the heroism of 'The Last Full Measure', "Vietnam War Period Medal of Honor recipients", United States Army Center of Military History, Wright Patterson Air Force Base Skywrighter, "William H. Pitsenbarger: A Hero of Piqua and America", "Pitsenbarger's memorial page on The Virtual Wall", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_H._Pitsenbarger&oldid=1134674290, This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 23:17. 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 . 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. GREAT NEWS! When the mission called for such acts of personal courage, there was never a shortage of volunteers. One of the few survivors, Army Lieutenant Martin Kroah later said, "At times, the small; arms fire would be so intense that it was deafening, and all a person could do was get as close to the ground as possible and pray. William and Irene Pitsenbarger looked with reverence at the medal presented to them by General McConnell on behalf of their son. One cannot judge the young men who reacted to the horrible events of April 11th with fear and panic. On the ground, he organized and coordinated rescue efforts, cared for the wounded, prepared casualties for evacuation, and insured that the recovery operation continued in a smooth and orderly fashion. He even gave away his own pistol, and did have a firearm to return enemy fire. He served as a member of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa, near Saigon. Of the 134 soldiers in Charlie Company at the beginning ofOperation Abilene, there were 106 casualties. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Few witnesses remained of the young PJs service and sacrifice. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Wrote Senator Lausche in hisCongressional Recordaccount of that day. Two Air Force Huskies were quickly airborne and moving east to find and extract the wounded soldiers of Charlie Company. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. His bravery and determination exemplify the highest professional standards and traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. OBeirne believes Pitsenbarger probably continued giving aid until he was hit the third or fourth time. - Water bottles (clear, sealed bottle, up to 20 oz.) He also became qualified as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver. On Monday, the second day of the sweep, the rugged terrain forced Charlie Company to move outward instead of parallel to Alpha and Bravo Companies. Artie Eugene Grose, 88, of Edmond, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Ansted Center in Ansted. Portraits in Courage - William Pitsenbarger: Medal of Honor recipient Like nothing could hurt him. Arvella M. "Sis" Pitsenbarger, age 88, of Franklin, WV, passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at Pendleton Manor in Franklin, WV. Detachment 6 flew three HH-43F Huskie helicopters, which recovered downed airmen and injured ground troops. 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. He trained with members of the Army at Fort Benning, Georgia to earn his jump wings. Some honors can be seen by the public. ), Pitsenbarger decided that he could speed things up if he could get to the ground. Many of the wounded were yelling for their mothers. Next to him, the wounded Sergeant Navarro was struggling to stay alive and to resist. In addition all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. 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. At some point during the rescue, they encountered a bear. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. You can always change this later in your Account settings. During the Vietnam War, the United States Air Force awarded its second-highest award, the Air Force Cross, to nineteen enlisted airmen. The helicopter was forced to abandon recovery efforts to make an emergency landing at a nearby airstrip. While there, it was the Air Force recruiter who captured the young man's attention. Not only had he chosen to serve his country in uniform, but he had also chosen to serve among some of the most elite. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. Pits expected the Air Force Huskies, or at least Pedro 97, to return for more wounded. We were completely surrounded.". Permitted Items: As Pits' Huskie began the approach, a plan for extracting the wounded man without detonating other mines in the field had to be devised. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. The frightened bear performed an about-face and fled. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. 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