Oops, we were unable to send the email. An official website of the United States government, National Museum of the United States Air Force, All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. For nearly a month the officer and his two medics had treated the injured while leading them to rescue. The enemy fire reached out to tear flesh and the medic fell to the ground. Their sonthat's what this was all about. How soon? The firing was so intense that a fire team leader in my platoon curled up in a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably. Ranging in age from 19-21, most had never witnessed such horror firsthand. He turned to Captain Salem at the controls and said, "I'm going in." The 2019 film The Last Full Measure depicting Pitsenbarger's life stars Jeremy Irvine as Pitsenbarger. At some point, a fatal bullet hit him. The power and rpm shot over the red lines and the helicopter lurched forward and upout of control. At some point during the rescue, they encountered a bear. If you had a need, Lenie was your guy! It was nearing 7:30 in the evening as the enemy fire was beginning to taper off. When he was just a junior in high school, Pitsenbarger had dreams of joining the U.S. Army as a Green Beret, but his parents would not give their permission. "I Couldn't Believe That Anybody Was Brave Enough, Or Crazy Enough". https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, One cannot judge the young men who reacted to the horrible events of April 11th with fear and panic. All Web: Obituary Daily Times Index, 1995-2016 results for Pitsenbarger. William Pitsenbarger was dead. She was born on June 14, 1932, in Franklin, WV, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Ida Mae (Propst) Lambert. On the last afternoon of the year, New Year's Eve 1962, William Pitsenbarger broke the news to his parents. [13], Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Award for 2012.[14]. 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. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. [citation needed] Although Pitsenbarger did not escape alive, 60 other men did. On that date, Airman Pitsenbarger was a rescue and survival specialist aboard a helicopter engaged in the evacuating of American casualties in a dense jungle. [5] His unit was composed of five aircrews that flew three Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters. 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. Copyright 2018 by Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC 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! Doctors determined that Dick Rynearson had suffered a broken upper left rib and a shattered sternum. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. "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.". The other men in his Detachment enjoyed being around Pits. - Box cutters My own platoon medic, who was later killed, was totally ineffective. The Pentagon is a mighty big place, an Americaninstitutionfilled with legends, lore, and high-ranking military men and women. Like nothing could hurt him. can i use a visa gift card for groceries; crush unfollowed me on instagram There were mortars coming in, heavy machinegun fire. Born June 17, 1934, in Frankford, WV, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Flora Mae Loudermilk Yates. 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. Then had come the looming threats of conflict in Vietnam. William F. Pitsenbarger will accept the Medal of Honor on his son's behalf. William H. Pitsenbarger is killed in action. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION. He was credited with saving nine lives. William Pitsenbarger. The Air Force Association awards a $750 Pitsenbarger scholarship to the top USAF enlisted personnel graduating from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree and submits a competitive award nomination package. When the young PJs feet touched the ground, he went into immediate action. He was born May 2, 1928 in Bradford, Ohio, the son of the late James Elmer Pitsenbarger and Iva (Sowers) Asher. In the darkness of the early morning, Army Engineers slipped into the jungle to clear a landing place for the helicopters that would come with the dawn to extract the survivors and the bodies of the dead. 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. Make sure that the file is a photo. Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles. Read + Subscribe to This Local Life Magazine. Lieutenant Libs strained his eyes against the unexpected sight. These men were now cut off from Able and Bravo companies and were surrounded by 400 or more enemy soldiers. His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. He examined Pitsenbargers body and found that he had four wounds. Pits expected the Air Force Huskies, or at least Pedro 97, to return for more wounded. Next to him, all was quiet. Coverage may vary by county. The helicopter was forced to abandon recovery efforts to make an emergency landing at a nearby airstrip. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Only two members of Sergeant Navarro's 10-man squad had survived. The local . After unloading at Binh Ba, Pedro 73 diverted to refuel while Captain Bachman and Pedro 97 returned for the fifth pick-up of the day. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? 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.". "Pits," as he was known to friends, had been killed in action five months earlier. Lenie A Pitsenbarger Lenie A. Pitsenbarger, 48, of Mentor, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Lake West Medical Center in Willoughby. But both were proud." According to Pitsenbargers Medal of Honor biography, Pitsenbarger reacted instantly with confidence and courage, charging toward the bear and yelling as if enraged. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. - Firearms* The recommendation for William Pitsenbarger's Medal of Honor was downgraded to the Air Force Cross. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. 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 born December 22, 1927 in Moyers,WV a son of the late Benjamin "Cam" Cameron and Dorothy Louella (Simmons) Pitsenbarger. The company, part of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Regiment was moving through the jungles northeast of Binh Gia on a routine-patrol. After several pick-ups, one of the two rescue helicopters involved in the evacuation was struck by heavy enemy ground fire and was forced to leave the scene for an emergency landing. William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, age 89, of Franklin, W.Va., and formerly Moyers, W.Va., passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at Pendleton Manor. Of the 291 men, fewer than 20 men survived the night of April 11-12, 1966. Beneath was the body of his friend, Pararescue medic William Pitsenbargershot four times. An estimated battalion of the enemy from the main force regiment was involved. "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. Training included the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S Navy Dive School (SCUBA), survival school, and a rescue and survival medical course. With heavy mortar and small-arms fire, the helicopters could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger. Subsequent to the award, Pitsenbarger will also be posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. 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. Without their PJ aboard, the chopper could only carry out one stokes patient, so Pedro 73 headed back to Binh Ba. 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. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The highway runs near the hometowns of four pararescuemen who died in service to their country. Even without looking the young infantry sergeant knew what had happened. Clarence William Pitsenbarger. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Nearby Lieutenant Johnny Libs was doing his best to bring some semblance of order to what remained of his platoon. At times, the Americans fought the enemy hand to hand. - Service animals Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. 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. 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 . Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? They hauled out about a dozen of our wounded. 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. In Vietnam Airman 1st Class William H. "Bill" Pitsenbarger gave his life so that others might live. All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. In the other, he still clutched his medical kit. 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 . "The mother was brave. [4] He completed the requirements, and was one of the first group of airmen to qualify for Pararescue right out of basic training. As the infantrymen fought to reclaim enough jungle landscape for the medevacs to land, the enemy attacked with mortars and machinegun fire. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo). This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. 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 . William Hart Pitsenbarger as a boy was determined to become an elite warrior. 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. - Coolers No sane man could live through such a nightmare without such emotion. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, All Major Military Award Recipients (PDF). With complete disregard for personal safety, Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to ride a hoist more than one hundred feet through the jungle, to the ground. 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