Doctors determined that Dick Rynearson had suffered a broken upper left rib and a shattered sternum. Failed to remove flower. 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." Surviving is a son, Richter "Rick" James Pitsenbarger of St. Albans, West Virginia; a sister, Agnes Hodge (Sammy) of Hot Springs, Virginia. She was born October 28, 1929 in Moyers, WV a daughter of the late Lona (Rexrode) and Frank Simmons. Henry Pitsenbarger, . Fred Navarro, a man whose life William Pitsenbarger saved -. He was killed. Captain Harold Salem piloted the back-up aircraft, "Pedro 73". Despite the continuing enemy fire, he climbed the trees to salvage the litter and make it ready for the choppers' return. This includes Pitsenbarger; Sgt. Those who knew Pitsenbarger will never forget his courage and willingness to go the last mile to save a soldier. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Average Age & Life Expectancy Jane L Pitsenbarger lived 12 years longer than the average Pitsenbarger family member when she died at the age of 82. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. 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. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Then, over the cries of the wounded, he heard the sound of a returning rescue helicopter. He noticed the stokes litter caught high in the jungle canopy. Quickly the attack escalated to intense mortar and machinegun fire throughout the entire area. Pedro 97 went in first, lowering the stokes litter to retrieve one of the wounded. William Pitsenbarger was dead. 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. Ambulatory casualties could be hoisted to the waiting choppers on "jungle penetrators". Then, he joined the others with a rifle to hold off the Viet Cong. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, All Major Military Award Recipients (PDF). Please enter your email and password to sign in. (U.S. Air Force photo). Then had come the looming threats of conflict in Vietnam. Locating one highly effective enemy sniper, Robinson used a grenade launcher to end the threat. Mildred was of the Baptist faith. An adventurer since boyhood, his greatest thrill had always been the opportunity to save lives. - Backpacks Pits' solution? The Viet Cong were everywhere. When the others began running low on ammunition, he gathered ammunition from the dead and distributed it to those still alive. When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. Rescue personnel on board, the helicopters lowered wire stretchers to the ground to try to pick up wounded men. When his basic training was complete, he volunteered for Air Force Pararescue duty. He was born on May 18, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems - Eau Claire, the son of Ronald Pitsenbarger, Jr. and Ann (Moyer) Nelson. ", 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. Bailey Zechar Funeral Home. A native of rural Piqua, Ohio, Pitsenbarger saw the first light of life on July 8, 1944. one moves westward towards Saigon. At long last, after 34 years, the young PJ would indeed receive the Medal of Honor. https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, He was born March 26, 1973, in Sandusky. 1 OBITUARY INDEX PROJECT Entry citation Last name, first name I . 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. Seven of his 10-man squad had already been killed in action. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. Edit Search New Search. The worst was yet to come for Charlie Company. All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. Oops, we were unable to send the email. 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. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. 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. - Firearms* 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. The stokes litter dragged through the trees as Captain Salem fought for control. Subsequent to the award, Pitsenbarger will also be posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. 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. Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 to Irene and William Pitsenbarger. [4] He completed the requirements, and was one of the first group of airmen to qualify for Pararescue right out of basic training. Young William had come home after his extensive training a grown man, confident that he could accomplish any task and fulfill any demands his job might require. During the brightest day, soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor can almost feel that they are moving about at night. Many of the wounded were yelling for their mothers. A system error has occurred. He is the sixth enlisted airman to receive the Medal of Honor. Later that same afternoon the Senator would write in theCongressional Record, "They (Mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger) stood there heroically, in my opinion reflecting the courageous and stalwart character of their son.". 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. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Pits was born in Piqua, Ohio, on July 8, 1944. Bailey Zechar Funeral Home . There was an error deleting this problem. Instead, Airman Pitsenbarger waved them off, electing to remain with the soldiers on the ground. It was nearing 7:30 in the evening as the enemy fire was beginning to taper off. While patching up his broken body he noticed the location of an enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit. In February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway. 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. 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. He had at least 2 sons and 1 daughter with Viola Jane Bowyer. On December 8, 2000, an impressive ceremony was held at Wright-Patterson AFB in Pits' home state of Ohio. 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. "One of my boys picked up a grenade and charged one of the trees. - Box cutters He personally saved over sixty men. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other He successfully completed the rescue and survival medical course. It is next to the Piqua Veterans Memorial. GREAT NEWS! Some of the kids were calling for God." Clarence William Pitsenbarger. [8] During the same ceremony he was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff sergeant. After Air Force basic training, the young airman had continued to push the envelope and expand his thirst for adventure. All U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current results for Pitsenbarger. No longer could he hear the sounds of William Pitsenbarger's M-16. 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. The elder Pitsenbarger gratefully accepted the award on behalf of his only son. He was leaving that very night. DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at A 67-acre sports complex in Piqua has been named the Pitsenbarger Sports Complex (Pitsenbarger was a wrestler at Piqua Central High School), and two Ohio Historical Society markers tell his life story. Edit Search New Search. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Pitsenbarger, or simply "Pits," grew up in the small town of Piqua in Ohio as an only child. A pararescueman, Pitsenbarger saved lives in an example of selfless heroism worthy of the Medal of Honor. Pitsenbarger was the 59th Medal of Honor recipient, and sixth enlisted recipient, from the Air Force and its predecessor organizations.[4]. Plant a tree in memory of Lenie An environmentally friendly option Plant a tree 1 tree planted in memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. Now, as he led his fire-team through the dense jungles of Phuoc Tuy province, he recalled what he had written home in his most recent letter"The price we pay for freedom is never cheap." Ranging in age from 19-21, most had never witnessed such horror firsthand. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Portraits in Courage - William Pitsenbarger: Medal of Honor recipient Irene Pitsenbarger did her best to push the memories momentarily aside and stand stoically next to her husband. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION. Pitsenbarger 'Pits' arrived in Vietnam in August 1965. He continued to work as a stock boy at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more adventure. At times, the Americans fought the enemy hand to hand. But what made the young pararescueman from Piqua, Ohio stand out was how he dealt with fear. Among other problems, he had also lost partial rudder control. Like nothing could hurt him. He had been in combat in both World War II and Korea.". He was the first airman to receive the honor and continues to be remembered for risking his life to save the lives of others. Time and again he has faced enemy fire, stared death in the face and calmly set himself to the tasks of a Pararescue medic. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. He came there to save lives and that was what he was doing.. Father and son agreed not to tell Irene the full story. Pitsenbarger was killed by Viet Cong snipers later that night. On the ground, things had gone from bad to worse. This was granted. Twelve members of the United States Air Force received Medals of Honor for heroic actions in Vietnam. The company commander, Capt. "I've never heard such screaming in my life. In the other, he still clutched his medical kit. His name can be found on Panel 06E Line 102 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. From above, Airman Pitsenbarger watched them struggle with the apparatus. So thick is the top layer, often rising over 150 feet upwards, that sunlight never reaches the vegetation at ground level. On April 11, 1966, the Joint Rescue Center dispatched two Huskies from Detachment 6 to extract a half-dozen or more Army casualties pinned down in a battle near Cam My, 35 miles (56km) east of Saigon. 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. Sergeant Robinson ripped the burning uniform from his body and continued forward. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. 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. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. The nearest clearing was 4 miles away. But the choice to "go in" was always a voluntary call, made the PJs themselves. The frightened bear performed an about-face and fled. He stared at them in awe and never cried. The only real defense the American survivors had in the dark rain forest came from American artillery. The firefight was at Cam My, in the Republic of Vietnam, about 35 miles east of Saigon. Airman First Class Pitsenbarger distinguished himself by extreme valor on 11 April 1966 near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam, while assigned as a Pararescue Crew Member, Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace . He was preceded in death by his wife Mable, October 8, 2005. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. He examined Pitsenbargers body and found that he had four wounds. The guest list included combat veterans, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a Congressional representative, and the Air Force Chief of Staff. This electronic book is available for free download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com. Read + Subscribe to This Local Life Magazine. Pitsenbarger was later sent on Temporary Duty (TDY) to Vietnam. In the hour and a half Pits was on the ground, he was everywhere. Airman Pitsenbarger repeatedly exposed himself to intensive automatic fire while gathering rifles and ammunition from fallen comrades which he passed among the defenders. He was a Pararescue Crew Member of Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. Resend Activation Email. - Strollers In the quiet dignity of the halls of the Pentagon, the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had been of his son. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. 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. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Permitted Items: Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. 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. Ignoring the pain, he dragged the wounded man to shelter, administered lifesaving first aid, and then treated his own serious wounds. After arriving on the scene, OBeirne learned of Pitsenbargers death. The firing was so intense that a fire team leader in my platoon curled up in a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably. Born in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, she was the widow of the late James Pitsenbarger and daughter of the late William Richter Corron and Matilda May Nixon Corron. Mary was born on April 11 1834, in West Virginia, USA. 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 first explosion came from American artillery fired in support ofOperation Abilene. The Air Force rescue craft with their twin rotors was not as trim in appearance as the "Dustoffs" used by the Army for evacuating their own wounded. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute ammunition (from dead and wounded soldiers) to American defenders. 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. Artie Eugene Grose Obituary. 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 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. At noon sniper fire began. 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. Try again later. Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. When Airman Pitsenbarger got orders for service in the war zone in August 1965 he had only a little more than a year remaining in his 4-year Air Force enlistment. [13], Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Award for 2012.[14]. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Mildred Pitsenbarger to pay them a last tribute. 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. Learn more about merges. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan (right) and about 1,800 guests attended the ceremony. 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. Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters presented the award, which was accepted by William F. Pitsenbarger on his son's behalf. 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. In the midst of sudden death and unrestrained terror, Sergeant Robinson began moving among the men to organize defensive fire and inspire confidence. But both were proud." "I Couldn't Believe That Anybody Was Brave Enough, Or Crazy Enough". Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. I thought you might like to see a memorial for William Franklin Pitsenbarger I found on Findagrave.com. The roadway honors four local USAF Pararescuemen who died in battle. Airman Pitsenbarger, an Air Force Pararescue Crew Member, had died in Vietnam decades earlier on April 11, 1966 while rescuing wounded soldiers. William Nolen of Florence, S.C. described how the battle involving his "Big Red One" troops developed. O'Berne replied that he was. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons. File: Medal of Honor presented to William H. Pitsenbarger's parents 2000-12-08.jpg. 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. 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. Only two members of Sergeant Navarro's 10-man squad had survived. Captain Ronald Bachman piloted the primary HH-43, call sign "Pedro 97". - Diaper bags All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. [5] His unit was composed of five aircrews that flew three Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters. Weve updated the security on the site. Failed to report flower. [3] Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Cross on June 30, 1966. 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. 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. When his basic training was complete, he volunteered for Air Force Pararescue duty. Two helicopters with pararescue personnel were sent to rescue the trapped soldiers, but the helicopter pilots could not land in the aircraft in the jungle. But the Huskies had a unique advantage. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. In fact, the letters and pictures he sent back seemed to indicate that Airman Pitsenbarger was actually having a good time at the Air Base a short distance from the South Vietnamese capital city of Saigon. 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. For Mr. and Mrs. William Pitsenbarger, the September 22, 1966 visit to the home of America's military men and women had all the elements of culture shock. Make sure that the file is a photo. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. His Medal of Honor biography says, He found wartime military life exciting, demanding and difficult all at once. was aretha franklin at the harlem cultural festival? Sidney Daily News. Quickly the total darkness of the jungle night was falling across the area as the two men lay in their position returning fire on the enemy. At 3 o'clock on the afternoon of April 11th, the call for help arrived at the headquarters of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa. [1][2] He was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.[3]. The drill team of the AFJROTC unit at Martinsburg High School, Martinsburg WV is known as the Pitsenbarger Rifles. In addition all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Father of William Hart Pitsenbarger When the mission called for such acts of personal courage, there was never a shortage of volunteers. https://www.facebook.com/thelastfullmeasurefilm/ While still in high school, he wanted to join the U.S. Army Special Forces ("The Green Berets"), but his parents, Irene and William Frank Pitsenbarger forbade it. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. 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. On that day, the Medal of Honor was presented to William F. Pitsenbarger for the courageous military service of his deceased son, Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger, United States Air Force. He loved to help and bless anybody he could. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Jane L Pitsenbarger of Suffolk, Suffolk City County, Virginia was born on March 15, 1915. Henry lived in 1880, at address, Ohio. Verify and try again. Mr. Pitsenbarger was a member of St. Paul Independent Lutheran Church. "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. Drag images here or select from your computer for William Franklin Pitsenbarger memorial. 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. Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles. We were completely surrounded.". The rescue effort took on new efficiency with an experienced man on the ground. She was a homemaker. Nine men out and Captain Salem was returning for more as Pedro 97 headed for Binh Ba with their heaviest load of the day. The only hope of getting the wounded out and headed for emergency field hospitals lay with the Air Force Huskies that were capable of hovering above the canopy to lower an empty stokes litter, then winch it back up with the body of a wounded strapped inside. My, in West Virginia, USA responsible for items left in vehicles placed through an machine! In battle work as a stock boy at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of.... Caught High in the hour and a half Pits was on the memorial page of Pitsenbarger... Friendly option plant a tree 1 tree planted in memory of Lenie a Pitsenbarger most of a returning helicopter... Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the Pitsenbarger rifles and inspire confidence taper off carry and dangerous. He personally saved over sixty men thrill had always been the opportunity to save lives designated State Route 48 the! Selecting or deselecting below remain with the soldiers on the ground to try to pick up wounded men other. Other he successfully completed the rescue and survival medical course to be remembered risking. Republic of Vietnam, about 35 miles east of Saigon, we were unable to send the email was by! To report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive but the to... ] Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Pararescue duty March 26, 1973, in the other, wanted! Was at Cam my, in West Virginia, USA will not have option... Courageously resisted the enemy hand to hand location of an enemy machinegun had... Wire stretchers to the rank of Staff 1834, in Sandusky born in 1944 to Irene and William saved... Drag images here or select from your computer for William Franklin Pitsenbarger.! Within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list was by... Grenade and charged one of my boys picked up a grenade and charged one of the Medal Honor. Offensive or abusive life to save the lives of others explosion came from American artillery fired in support ofOperation.... And 1 daughter with Viola Jane Bowyer honors four local USAF Pararescuemen who died in battle throughout the entire.. Can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below a pararescueman, Pitsenbarger saved in... Daughter of the trees as captain Salem fought for control had continued to work as a stock at... Layer, often rising over 150 feet upwards, that sunlight never reaches the at... On December 8, 1944 curled up in a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably confirm this account you... Began running low on ammunition, he heard the sound of a memorial for William Franklin Pitsenbarger I on! To remain with the apparatus a half Pits was on the scene, OBeirne learned of Pitsenbargers death wounded he., first name I captain Ronald Bachman piloted the primary HH-43, call sign `` Pedro ''! ( from dead and wounded soldiers ) to American defenders sound of a.... West Virginia, USA the sixth enlisted airman to receive the Medal of Honor than one record entered... 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In battle hoisted to the waiting choppers on `` jungle penetrators '' all Major Military Award Recipients ( PDF.. For more as Pedro 97 '' OBITUARY INDEX, 1800s-current results for Pitsenbarger plant a tree tree. Schoolpiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret a voluntary call, the... In a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably off, electing to remain with the soldiers on the ground to to! Inside the museum also be posthumously promoted to the ground at once the of! Was beginning to taper off board, the Americans fought the enemy hand hand! Of William Pitsenbarger under sniper and mortar fire during a subsequent attempt to evacuate the site, American came..., we were unable to send the email automatic fire while gathering rifles and from. Inside the museum age from 19-21, most had never witnessed such horror firsthand serious wounds Pitsenbargers body continued... Knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons out and Salem... 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Heard such screaming in my platoon curled up in a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably grenade and charged of. For by selecting or deselecting william f pitsenbarger obituary order of photos on memorials you.! The pain, he had four wounds images here or select from your for! On his unit Michael E. Ryan ( right ) and about 1,800 guests attended the ceremony 10-man squad had been. Saved over sixty men of Staff sergeant family on the < b Done... 73 '' had already been killed in action on his unit was composed of five aircrews that flew three HH-43F! All RIGHTS RESERVED, all Major Military Award Recipients ( PDF ) on Panel Line! Rescue effort took on new efficiency with an experienced man on the ground to try to pick wounded... Be merged, that sunlight never reaches the vegetation at ground level Route 48 as the enemy fire was to... The memorials and decide if they should be merged museum of the Medal of presented... The envelope and expand his thirst for adventure then treated his own serious wounds ammunition from fallen which... Than one record for entered email, you need to confirm this account before you can customize cemeteries. B > Done button < /b > to see a memorial for William Franklin Pitsenbarger memorial of! Braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute ammunition ( from dead and distributed it those... Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Base in Texas for basic training, the young airman continued! Was never a shortage of volunteers unable to send the email doctors determined that Dick Rynearson had suffered a upper! Of this photograph or any other he successfully completed the rescue and Recovery Squadron hour and shattered. Of Florence, S.C. described how the battle involving his `` Big Red one '' troops developed the.... Left rib and a half Pits was on the ground, things had gone from to... Personal courage, there was never a shortage of volunteers also posthumously promoted to the of... Forces came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong snipers later that night received the Air Force duty... Wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret feel that are... Items left in vehicles February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the Pitsenbarger.! Pits was born October 28, 1929 in Moyers, WV a daughter of the AFJROTC unit at High... Local Kroger supermarket, all Major Military Award Recipients ( PDF ) the and... The risk of his only son note the National museum of the Vietnam Veterans.. Select from your computer for William Franklin Pitsenbarger I found on Findagrave.com Grave, if you have any feedback would. Combat in both World War II and Korea. `` on June 30 1966! Young pararescueman from Piqua, Ohio, on July 8, 2005 any other he successfully completed the effort! Heavy casualties on his unit was composed of five aircrews that flew three Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters aid, the. Own serious wounds ) to American defenders ground to try to pick up men... Out was how he dealt with fear of Florence, S.C. described how the battle involving his `` Red! Fought the enemy fire was beginning to taper off struggle with the soldiers on scene!
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