His pararescue training was put to the test soon after arriving at Hamilton Air Force Base. 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. Little did he know how expensive that price was about to become. The enemy fire reached out to tear flesh and the medic fell to the ground. William H. Pitsenbarger is killed in action. This electronic book is available for free download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com. During a subsequent attempt to evacuate the site, American forces came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong 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. 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. 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. 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. Time and again he has faced enemy fire, stared death in the face and calmly set himself to the tasks of a Pararescue medic. 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 . In 2004, an Ohio Historical Society marker honoring Pitsenbarger was placed along Riverside Drive (State Route 66 at Broadway). Twelve members of the United States Air Force received Medals of Honor for heroic actions in Vietnam. Sidney Daily News. My own platoon medic, who was later killed, was totally ineffective. He successfully completed the rescue and survival medical course. At six feet, three inches tall he was an inspiring sight for the beleaguered men of his platoon. 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. "It was horrible," said Pfc Ronald Haley, as he stood in the tiny clearing blasted from the jungle so that the dead and wounded could be evacuated. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. 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. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. In February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway. The helicopter was forced to abandon recovery efforts to make an emergency landing at a nearby airstrip. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Bailey Zechar Funeral Home. They hauled out about a dozen of our wounded. Civilian authorities have also honored his name. Failed to report flower. Without their PJ aboard, the chopper could only carry out one stokes patient, so Pedro 73 headed back to Binh Ba. The audience included battle survivors, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a congressional representative and the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. He was the first airman to receive the honor and continues to be remembered for risking his life to save the lives of others. Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to remain on the ground and administer medical treatment to the wounded. (U.S. Air Force photo). 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. Alert and always ready to go on any mission. While patching up his broken body he noticed the location of an enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit. Gallant, they were true. Resend Activation Email. There were mortars coming in, heavy machinegun fire. He noticed the stokes litter caught high in the jungle canopy. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. The PJ on board was one of the Pits' closest friends, Harry O'Berne. He volunteered to ride a hoist over 100 feet through the jungle and to the jungle floor. This browser does not support getting your location. The Viet Cong withdrew and we called in artillery fire. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. May 2, 1928 - August 21, 2021. [citation needed] Although Pitsenbarger did not escape alive, 60 other men did. Plant a tree in memory of Lenie An environmentally friendly option Plant a tree 1 tree planted in memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. OBITUARY Shirley A Pitsenbarger December 29, 1932 - February 8, 2023. During the brightest day, soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor can almost feel that they are moving about at night. (Note: Only the US Air Force HH43 Huskie helicopter could rescue wounded from the jungle. Open9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters presented the award, which was accepted by William F. Pitsenbarger on his son's behalf. And now, here at the Pentagon, Mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger would receive one more award on behalf of their son. Shortly after rescue efforts were interrupted, the area came under heavy sniper and mortar fire. Pitsenbarger, or simply "Pits," grew up in the small town of Piqua in Ohio as an only child. 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. In one lifeless hand Pits still held his M-16 rifle. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. As he moved among the bodies that littered the jungle floor, an Army captain approached and asked if he was a medic. 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. DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. IN THE CARE OF. 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. All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. Lenie A Pitsenbarger Willoughby, Ohio March 26, 1973 - September 1, 2021 Obituary & Events Share a memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. Son of John Walter Pitsenbarger and Freda Blanche Pitsenbarger - Diaper bags Failed to delete memorial. His unit was responsible for many different kinds of rescue missions, from recovering downed pilots to evacuating wounded airmen or soldiers for both the US military units as well as South Vietnamese units. Then, over the cries of the wounded, he heard the sound of a returning rescue helicopter. 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. William Pitsenbarger's Background A1C Pitsenbarger, an Ohio native, is one of three Medal of Honor Recipients from Piqua, Ohio. All U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current results for Pitsenbarger. Now, stranded on the ground with the few survivors of Charlie Company, he took little time to ponder the predicament into which he had voluntarily placed himself. First Lt. Kenneth Anderson, of Nashville, Tenn. said snipers kept firing from the trees. 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. * Firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons, are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC 930 (c) The round was a tracer, igniting the trousers of his jungle fatigues. Army Sergeant Fred Navarro of Hutchins, Kansas was a squad leader in Charlie 2/16th. How soon? Army Staff Sergeant James Robinson was submitted for the Medal of Honor for his heroic sacrifice duringOperation Abilene. On that day, he was aboard a rescue helicopter that was sent to evacuate casualties of a firefight between the Armys 1st Infantry Division and Viet Cong enemy forces. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He was wounded twice. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. 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 . As Captain Salem hovered, the Airman Hammond began lowering the stokes from Pedro 73. The highway runs near the hometowns of four pararescuemen who died in service to their country. "All of us PJs had a strong desire to save lives," said Chief Master Sergeant Dave Milsten, the ranking Pararescueman in Detachment 6, "that's what we lived for. Time and again, as was not uncommon among any of the dedicated PJs, Pits had made the ascent from the relative shelter of his hovering Huskie to the jungle floor to render immediate first aid to wounded and then strap them into the lowered Stokes Litter. Haley, of Ukiah, Calif., was dirty and unkept after his unit had been in the jungles 30 miles east of Saigon for two weeks searching for the Viet Cong. Then, as the Huskie lifted off, O'Berne remained on the ground to treat wounded and load them on the Army Chinook. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27881350/william-franklin-pitsenbarger. 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. Among those restored to safety was Eric Severeid, who would go on to become a well-known news commentator. 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. Few witnesses remained of the young PJs service and sacrifice. [13], Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Award for 2012.[14]. 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