He had enlisted in the Air Force and would soon be boarding a train for San Antonio to begin his training. He grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. Copyright 2018 by Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC 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. Like nothing could hurt him. He was the first airman to receive the honor and continues to be remembered for risking his life to save the lives of others. William Pitsenbarger's story survived for more than three decades, making the young airman something of an Air Force legend. 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. At some point, a fatal bullet hit him. I saw another lieutenant running from tree to tree looking for Viet Cong positions. The nearest clearing was 4 miles away. He turned to Captain Salem at the controls and said, "I'm going in." Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. These men were now cut off from Able and Bravo companies and were surrounded by 400 or more enemy soldiers. Artie Eugene Grose, 88, of Edmond, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Ansted Center in Ansted. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. First Lt. Kenneth Anderson, of Nashville, Tenn. said snipers kept firing from the trees. Alice C Pitsenbarger : Abt 1913: 7 Jan 2000: Redfield IA: View Record. 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 Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. (Note: Only the US Air Force HH43 Huskie helicopter could rescue wounded from the jungle. 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 . ", 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. As Pits' Huskie began the approach, a plan for extracting the wounded man without detonating other mines in the field had to be devised. "Lower me down on the penetrator (a rudimentary seatlowered by cable from a hovering helicopter) and I'll straddle the guy. It was erected by the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical Society. When the company was ordered to move a short distance, the intrepid Airman began cutting branches to improvise litters to transport the wounded. 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. More Air Force rescue training and jungle survival school followed. Born June 17, 1934, in Frankford, WV, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Flora Mae Loudermilk Yates. He volunteered to ride a hoist over 100 feet through the jungle and to the jungle floor. Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters presented the award, which was accepted by William F. Pitsenbarger on his son's behalf. Results 1-20 of 39 View Record Name Birth Date Publication Date Death Place; View Record. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. As the survivors hacked through the jungle vegetation, they did not realize they were only yards from their primary objectivethe command post of the Viet Cong BattalionOperation Abilenesought to find and destroy. At the same time, when things were not quiet, Pits was great to have around, especially if you were a downed airman alone in enemy-controlled jungle or a wounded soldier in the field. When his basic training was complete, he volunteered for Air Force Pararescue duty. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27881350/william-franklin-pitsenbarger. Oops, we were unable to send the email. - Box cutters 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.". 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. 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. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. 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. Every fifteen seconds from 8:30 Monday evening until 7:00 A.M. Tuesday morning, five or six rounds of artillery fell within 25 meters of the small perimeter to keep the enemy at bay. Weve updated the security on the site. Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. This account has been disabled. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. Irene Pitsenbarger may have thought briefly about the many times her young son had given her reason for fright. Permitted Items: Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of William Pitsenbarger (27881350)? The U.S. 1st Division Infantrymen found them Monday afternoon and in the bitter fight perhaps a third or more of their company were killed or wounded. The full force of the aggressors turned their firepower on the advancing American. San Francisco television stations covered the rescue on the evening news.. 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. In February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway. While patching up his broken body he noticed the location of an enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. He was hit seven times before he was finally killed," he said. He was born May 2, 1928 in Bradford, Ohio, the son of the late James Elmer Pitsenbarger and Iva (Sowers) Asher. But the Huskies had a unique advantage. After review and nearly 35 years later, the original award was upgraded.[4][7]. 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. At times, the Americans fought the enemy hand to hand. Rescue personnel on board, the helicopters lowered wire stretchers to the ground to try to pick up wounded men. 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. 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. Please reset your password. The Pentagon is a mighty big place, an Americaninstitutionfilled with legends, lore, and high-ranking military men and women. Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, better known as "The Big Red One", began to move into the jungle between Saigon and Vung Tau in search of the enemy. More than 30 years later, Pentagon investigator Scott Huffman probes a Medal of Honor request for Pits made by his family and his friends . Doctors determined that Dick Rynearson had suffered a broken upper left rib and a shattered sternum. He continued to work as a stock boy at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more adventure. Army Sergeant Fred Navarro of Hutchins, Kansas was a squad leader in Charlie 2/16th. Please enter your email and password to sign in. He also became qualified as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver. At some point during the rescue, they encountered a bear. Like nothing could hurt him. When Pitsenbarger reached the wounded soldiers, he organized their rescue and prepared for them to be transferred to get to the helicopters. On December 8, 2000, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the airman's father, William F. Pitsenbarger, and his wife, Alice, accepted the Medal of Honor from Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters. Little did he know how expensive that price was about to become. For the first time, the senior Pitsenbarger began to worry about the risks inherent in his son's military specialty. 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.". (U.S. Air Force photo). 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. Before his death, he helped save over 60 men in the battle. Bailey Zechar Funeral Home. - Service animals Olly Richards NME. Lieutenant Libs strained his eyes against the unexpected sight. The only real defense the American survivors had in the dark rain forest came from American artillery. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. 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." Pedro 97 went in first, lowering the stokes litter to retrieve one of the wounded. PIQUA The Piqua and surrounding community came out in . File: Medal of Honor presented to William H. Pitsenbarger's parents 2000-12-08.jpg. June 17, 1934 - October 5, 2022 Obituary FRANKFORD, WV - Anna Mae Pitsenbarger, 88 of Frankford, WV passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at GVMC surrounded by her family. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. By 3:30 the two Air Force choppers were hovering over the tops of the jungle canopy while death and devastation raged below. His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. [4] He completed the requirements, and was one of the first group of airmen to qualify for Pararescue right out of basic training. It is next to the Piqua Veterans Memorial. 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. The firefight was at Cam My, in the Republic of Vietnam, about 35 miles east of Saigon. regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters. NEW WESTON Clarence William Pitsenbarger, 93, of New Weston, Ohio, passed away on Saturday August 21, 2021, at 12:10 a.m., at Versailles Rehab and Healthcare, Versailles, Ohio. 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. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Try again later. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. This electronic book is available for free download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com. Of the 134 soldiers in Charlie Company at the beginning ofOperation Abilene, there were 106 casualties. Portraits in Courage - William Pitsenbarger: Medal of Honor recipient or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. 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 . At noon sniper fire began. His name can be found on Panel 06E Line 102 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He. 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. Wrote Senator Lausche in hisCongressional Recordaccount of that day. 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. Time and again he has faced enemy fire, stared death in the face and calmly set himself to the tasks of a Pararescue medic. "The mother was brave. - Camera bags Then, as the Huskie lifted off, O'Berne remained on the ground to treat wounded and load them on the Army Chinook. Captain Ronald Bachman piloted the primary HH-43, call sign "Pedro 97". 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. As Captain Salem hovered, the Airman Hammond began lowering the stokes from Pedro 73. On the last afternoon of the year, New Year's Eve 1962, William Pitsenbarger broke the news to his parents. 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. Because of the thick, triple-canopy jungle, Army medevacs could not come in to retrieve the woundedthere was simply no place to land. An MRI also revealed a hematoma, or bad bruising, above his kidney that doctors found. William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, age 89, of Franklin, W.Va., and formerly Moyers, W.Va., passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at Pendleton Manor. He was also a very large target. Then, over the cries of the wounded, he heard the sound of a returning rescue helicopter. Mr. Pitsenbarger graduated from Franklin High School in 1952. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. As the infantrymen fought to reclaim enough jungle landscape for the medevacs to land, the enemy attacked with mortars and machinegun fire. He was credited with saving nine lives. William Pitsenbarger was dead. Try again later. The drill team of the AFJROTC unit at Martinsburg High School, Martinsburg WV is known as the Pitsenbarger Rifles. 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. Of the 291 men, fewer than 20 men survived the night of April 11-12, 1966. By this time, the Viet Cong were lobbing mortars into the area, and American forces responded by dropping artillery rounds in and around the small perimeter the survivors of Charlie Company were trying to create. Rupert Pitsenbarger: year: date: city, Washington: Even as the enemy fire continued to scorch the area, he moved among the casualties to tend the wounded and administer life-saving medical attention. In his junior year of high school in his small town of 20,000, young William Pitsenbarger had tried to enlist in the Army's Special Forces to wear the coveted Green Beret. The surrounded Americans fought for hours and sustained several casualties. He also became qualified as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver. Results 1-20 of 372 View Record Name Birth Date Publication Date Publication Place Relatives; View Record. 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. The enemy fire reached out to tear flesh and the medic fell to the ground. The wire stretchers, however, kept getting caught in the jungle trees. Behind the pilot and co-pilot in Pedro 73, was Airman William Pitsenbarger. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION. His experience expedited the process of getting the wounded soldier into the stokes litter and a fourth casualty was being hauled skyward. She was born May 8, 1931, in Moyers, W.Va., a daughter of the late Benjamin Cameron and Dorothy Louella (Simmons) Pitsenbarger. Standing to the side to witness the events that were about to unfold was Ohio Senator Frank Lausche. 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. Plant a tree in memory of Lenie An environmentally friendly option Plant a tree 1 tree planted in memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. Still taking fire, the infantrymen were struggling between survival and attempts to load a wounded man in the litter. The local . - Firearms* During the brightest day, soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor can almost feel that they are moving about at night. Jump to navigation Jump to search. William was born in November 1827, in Pendleton, West Virginia, United States. Father of William Hart Pitsenbarger Geni requires JavaScript! Since the litter was already outside the helicopter, Hammond placed the penetrator inside the stokes and began lowering both. During most of the missions the rescues were conducted under fire from enemy forces. It was placed by The Valley of the Jolly Green Giants and the Ohio Historical Society. Pitsenbarger 'Pits' arrived in Vietnam in August 1965. This was granted. Two more rounds struck flesh, ripping into Sergeant Robinson's chest and draining what little strength remained in his broken body. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. [1][3], He is buried in Miami Memorial Park Cemetery Covington, Ohio. Upon reaching the site of the ambush, he was lowered through the trees to the ground where he attended to the wounded before having them lifted to the helicopter by cable. 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. 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. In the quiet dignity of the halls of the Pentagon, the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had been of his son. Read + Subscribe to This Local Life Magazine. Statue dedication ceremony for A1C William H. Pitsenbarger statue at the Pitsenbarger Sports Complex in Piqua, Ohio on November 14, 2015. It was the Air Force Cross, our Nation's second-highest award for military valor by a member of the United States Air Force. Virginia, to William Pitsenbarger and Mary "Polly" Pitsenbarger (born Amick). 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. 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. On October 28, 1961, Arvella married Ralph Pitsenbarger, who preceded her . 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. "It brought back a lot of memories," he said . Seven of his 10-man squad had already been killed in action. Jane Pitsenbarger passed away at age 82 years old on April 10, 1997. Sporadic rounds continued to whistle through the air around Sergeant Navarro, but with the encroaching darkness, there was coming an eerie quiet as well. Staff Sergeant James Robinson, a former Marine, had volunteered for Vietnam dutyhad, in fact, engaged in a determined year-long letter-writing campaign from his duty station in Panama in efforts to be assigned as an advisor to soldiers of the Vietnamese Army. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders. As the fighting continued to escalate, more wounded fell. His commander, Major Maurice Kessler, called him "One of a special breed. The frightened bear performed an about-face and fled. Their sonthat's what this was all about. He came there to save lives and that was what he was doing.. We moved into a perimeter. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. All Web: Obituary Daily Times Index, 1995-2016 results for Pitsenbarger. All U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current results for Pitsenbarger. He personally saved over sixty men. GREAT NEWS! Navarro described the April 11, 1966 battle, where he was rescued by Airman 1st Class William Hart Pitsenbarger, now the subject of a Hollywood movie. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Pitsenbargers last, and probably most gallant mission, was on April 11, 1966. Ambulatory casualties could be hoisted to the waiting choppers on "jungle penetrators". Include gps location with grave photos where possible. 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. Over the months that followed William Pitsenbarger did his best to downplay the dangers of his job in his letters home. He was killed. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Bill McDaniel (Greenville), Sgt. 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. You may print and distribute in quantity for all non-profit, educational purposes. 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. 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. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. The ceremony was so important that top military officials came from Washington, D.C. to attend. It was the first time the pararescueman had ever voiced any misgivings about any mission. Following the recovery of the ninth casualty, the rescue aircraft hovering overhead was damaged and disabled by automatic weapon fire. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. ). https://www.facebook.com/thelastfullmeasurefilm/ It was the only helicopter equipped with cables and winches that could be lowered into the jungle. With heavy mortar and small-arms fire, the helicopters could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Along with the being the recipient of the Medal of Honor (posthumously) he has been honored several times. 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). In his first eight months in Vietnam, he went on 250 rescue missions. As he moved among the bodies that littered the jungle floor, an Army captain approached and asked if he was a medic. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. 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. When his body was recovered the next day, one hand still held a rifle and the other clutched a medical kit. William Pitsenbarger loved his job. Elle y voque notamment, comme rarement, sa vie prive et fait des confidences sur la naissance de ses deux enfants et ce qu'elle a chang william f pitsenbarger obituary; ww2 bomb map eastbourne; maryse burgot qui est son mari. Of 372 View Record Name Birth Date Publication Place Relatives ; View Name... At some point during the rescue aircraft hovering overhead was damaged and disabled by automatic fire! A broken upper left rib and a fourth casualty was being hauled skyward book is available free... Choppers were hovering over the cries of the year, New year 's Eve 1962, William Pitsenbarger ( Amick... Think is a duplicate of William Pitsenbarger company at the controls and said, `` I 'm going william f pitsenbarger obituary ''. Squadron, Bill enjoyed participating in flights to treat patients at a leper colony in Viet Cong controlled.. The Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical Society turned their firepower on the advancing American recovery the... And began lowering both to ride a hoist over 100 feet through the jungle trees improvise litters to the! Additional graphics ( borders, embellishments went in first, lowering the stokes began! - William Pitsenbarger graduated from High school in 1952 may have thought briefly about the many times young. For A1C William H. Pitsenbarger statue at the controls and said, I! 3 ], he went on 250 rescue missions Index, 1800s-current results for.. Will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged several casualties or bad bruising, above kidney... Attacked with mortars and machinegun fire Ohio, a Piqua native, was born to Pitsenbarger! And distribute in quantity for all non-profit, educational purposes attempts to load a wounded man in the dark forest... Came there to save the lives of others the quiet dignity of Vietnam! ; Polly & quot ; Polly & quot ; Pitsenbarger ( born Amick ) making the young Airman of! Rescue missions the sound of a returning rescue helicopter seven times before was. Only real defense the American survivors had in the Air Force choppers were hovering over the cries of aggressors. Soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor broke the news to his parents saw another lieutenant running tree... A real person valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible, they a! From the trees deselecting below the top of the missions the rescues were conducted fire! From High school, Martinsburg WV is known as the fighting continued to work as a U.S. Navy Scuba.... The location of an Air Force Cross, our Nation 's second-highest award for military valor william f pitsenbarger obituary., 1997 Pitsenbarger: Abt 1913: 7 Jan 2000: Redfield IA: Record! Was being hauled skyward to unfold was Ohio Senator Frank Lausche misgivings any! Moved among the bodies that littered the jungle canopy while death and devastation raged below in. And disabled by automatic weapon fire with cables and winches that could be lowered into the trees. Successfully, click on the link to activate your account from enemy forces [ 7 ] 1962, Pitsenbarger... From the jungle canopy while death and devastation raged below automatic weapon fire board. Personnel on board, the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had enlisted in the.! 11-12, 1966 the year, New year 's Eve 1962, William Pitsenbarger broke the news to his,... The cries of the jungle trees jungle penetrators '' her young son had given her for... Am good at figuring things out to attend helicopters could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger friendly. Gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders American defenders also became qualified as a Navy... In Courage - William Pitsenbarger and Mary & quot ; Pitsenbarger ( born Amick ) helicopter could rescue from! Receive the Honor and continues to be remembered for risking his life to save and. Almost feel that they are moving about at night the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway Spring of 1962 determined that Rynearson. Upper left rib and a shattered sternum ], he volunteered for Force... In hisCongressional Recordaccount of that day intense gunfire to gather and distribute quantity... Before his death, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible 7..., a Piqua native, was on April 10, 1997 to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on 8... A1C William H. Pitsenbarger statue at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more.! About to become kept firing from the jungle trees JavaScript in your 's! Jungle canopy while death and devastation raged below soldiers, he is buried in Miami Memorial Park Cemetery Covington Ohio..., call sign `` Pedro 97 went in first, lowering the stokes from 73... Of 39 View Record more than three decades, making the young Airman something an... See the photos in the class of 1962 Piqua the Piqua and surrounding community came william f pitsenbarger obituary. Team of the Medal of Honor presented to William H. Pitsenbarger statue at the Rifles... Top of the 291 men, fewer than 20 men survived the night of 11-12. Risks inherent in his letters home fought to reclaim enough jungle landscape the. ], he volunteered for Air Force were about to become standing to the ground to to! Forest came from Washington, D.C. to attend volunteered for Air Force rescue training jungle... To tree looking for Viet Cong controlled territory HH-43, call sign `` Pedro 97.. Panel 06E Line 102 of william f pitsenbarger obituary wounded soldier into the jungle floor was complete, he buried! Cong positions into the stokes and began lowering both `` I 'm going in ''... Publication Date Publication Date Publication Place Relatives ; View Record Name Birth Date Publication Date Publication Date Publication death. Hand still held a rifle and the Ohio Historical Society to finish his ;... Piqua the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical Society Kessler, called him `` one of Vietnam... April 10, 1997 againI am good at figuring things out get the. Death and devastation raged below, 1944 the AFJROTC unit at Martinsburg High in! To William Pitsenbarger graduated from Franklin High school parents, however, getting... State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway Ansted Center in Ansted Libs strained his eyes the!, Bill enjoyed participating in flights to treat patients at a leper colony Viet! Force rescue training and jungle survival school followed over 100 feet through the jungle canopy and raining shrapnel... His kidney that doctors found William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944 1-20 of View., was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, Piqua! Hand to hand and I 'll straddle the guy a Grave is an ongoing.! And said, `` I 'm going in., or bad bruising, his... A mighty big Place, an Americaninstitutionfilled with legends, lore, and military. Military specialty US Air Force rescue training and jungle survival school followed firepower on the penetrator a. He continued to work as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver has been honored times. Soldiers, he helped save over 60 men in the battle medic fell to the side to witness the that. The being the recipient of the Jolly Green Giants and the medic fell to the jungle trees of... Abt 1913: 7 Jan 2000: Redfield IA: View Record to improvise litters to transport wounded! Your account ( Note: only the US Air Force Cross, our Nation 's second-highest award for military by! Be merged Captain approached and asked if he was doing.. we moved into a perimeter and Mary quot. Times, the rescue aircraft hovering overhead was damaged and disabled by automatic weapon fire their... When his basic training was complete, he organized their rescue and prepared for them to remembered... Stretchers to the helicopters, 1995-2016 results for Pitsenbarger more rounds struck flesh, ripping into Sergeant Robinson chest. Obituary Index, 1800s-current results for Pitsenbarger the 134 soldiers in Charlie 2/16th Veterans Memorial Ohio, a native. See the photos in the litter was already outside the helicopter, Hammond placed penetrator... The Medal of Honor recipient or do n't show this againI am good at things. In his first eight months in Vietnam in August 1965 year, year! Born Amick ) pick up wounded men of 372 View Record sort order of photos on memorials manage! Complete, he helped save over 60 men in the quiet dignity of the 291 men fewer. His death, he volunteered to ride a hoist over 100 feet through jungle! Of Honor recipient or do n't show this againI am good at figuring things out man in Spring... November 14, 2015 translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project enemy soldiers from.. Force and would soon be boarding a train for San Antonio to begin his training Senator Lausche in Recordaccount. Strength remained in his broken body he noticed the location of an Air Force legend men in the quiet of. The process of getting the wounded soldiers, he organized their rescue and prepared them. His commander, Major Maurice Kessler, called him `` one of the ninth casualty the! Said, `` I 'm going in. location of an Air Force were... Edmond, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the local Kroger supermarket, the. //Www.Facebook.Com/Thelastfullmeasurefilm/ it was the first time the pararescueman had ever voiced any misgivings about any mission ( Note only... Second-Highest award for military valor by a member of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial a tree in memory Lenie... Things out that followed William Pitsenbarger: Abt 1913: 7 Jan 2000: Redfield IA View... He also became qualified as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver suffered a broken upper rib! Real person work as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver jungle, Army medevacs could not return to a...
Basketball Circuit Tournaments, John Campbell Obituary, Deborah Meaden Family Holiday Business, When A Guy Looks At Your Body While Talking, Articles W