He came there to save lives and that was what he was doing.. The city of Piqua, Ohio, renamed a recreational park (which includes the municipal swimming pool) the "Pitsenbarger Sports Complex." Virginia, to William Pitsenbarger and Mary "Polly" Pitsenbarger (born Amick). Irene Pitsenbarger did her best to push the memories momentarily aside and stand stoically next to her husband. On December 8, 2000, an impressive ceremony was held at Wright-Patterson AFB in Pits' home state of Ohio. 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. Arnold M Pitsenbarger: Abt 1930: The Huskie was the first chopper to land and O'Berne moved among the dead to find and load three wounded infantrymen. Quickly the attack escalated to intense mortar and machinegun fire throughout the entire area. "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. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. One hundred eighty American soldiers on patrol had come upon a much larger force of Viet Cong in a dense jungle area. On April 11, 1966, Pitsenbarger was killed aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault during the Vietnam War. When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. "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.". Clarence William Pitsenbarger, 93 of New Weston, Ohio, passed away on Saturday August 21, 2021 at 12:10 AM at Versailles Rehab and Healthcare, Versailles, Ohio. Plant a tree in memory of Lenie An environmentally friendly option Plant a tree 1 tree planted in memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. 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. Sergeant Robinson ripped the burning uniform from his body and continued forward. Following the recovery of the ninth casualty, the rescue aircraft hovering overhead was damaged and disabled by automatic weapon fire. 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. First Lt. Kenneth Anderson, of Nashville, Tenn. said snipers kept firing from the trees. During the Vietnam War, the United States Air Force awarded its second-highest award, the Air Force Cross, to nineteen enlisted airmen. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. They tried to leave the area, but they were attacked by the large Viet Cong force. Arriving with the Army's CH47 helicopters on Tuesday morning was the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6. Gallant, they were true. 0 cemeteries found in Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA. Mary was born on April 11 1834, in West Virginia, USA. When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. Pitsenbarger was the 59th Medal of Honor recipient, and sixth enlisted recipient, from the Air Force and its predecessor organizations.[4]. Open9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. It was like walking into a whole new world, a world separated from their small hometown of Piqua, Ohio by more than miles. San Francisco television stations covered the rescue on the evening news.. She was born May 8, 1931, in Moyers, W.Va., a daughter of the late Benjamin Cameron and Dorothy Louella (Simmons) Pitsenbarger. 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. Lenie A Pitsenbarger Lenie A. Pitsenbarger, 48, of Mentor, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Lake West Medical Center in Willoughby. 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. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Normally the unit consisted of 291 men but, going intoOperation Abilene, company strength was down to 134 soldiers. You may print and distribute in quantity for all non-profit, educational purposes. Geni requires JavaScript! "Pits," as he was known to friends, had been killed in action five months earlier. Mr. Pitsenbarger graduated from Franklin High School in 1952. 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 . Jane L Pitsenbarger of Suffolk, Suffolk City County, Virginia was born on March 15, 1915. While there, it was the Air Force recruiter who captured the young man's attention. 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. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons. 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. Time and again these brave medics had been inserted to save lives. One must imagine William Pitsenbarger must have felt fear himself. Sidney Daily News. Quickly the pilot threw the switches to arm the cable cutter, releasing the litter and freeing his aircraft. It was the Air Force Cross, our Nation's second-highest award for military valor by a member of the United States Air Force. He had enlisted in the Air Force and would soon be boarding a train for San Antonio to begin his training. Irene Pitsenbarger may have thought briefly about the many times her young son had given her reason for fright. An Air Force rescue helicopter came over and lowered a ladder. Try again later. Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles. He continued to work as a stock boy at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more adventure. Pits was born in Piqua, Ohio, on July 8, 1944. He and another pararescuer were asked to find two hunters lost in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. More Air Force rescue training and jungle survival school followed. Artie Eugene Grose, 88, of Edmond, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Ansted Center in Ansted. Drag images here or select from your computer for William Franklin Pitsenbarger memorial. Mildred was of the Baptist faith. Some honors can be seen by the public. In the years that followed the 1966 presentation of the Air Force Cross to Mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger just five months after the death of their son, the name WilliamPitsPitsenbarger became synonymous with the proud traditions of sacrifice and service of the Air Force Pararescuemen. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. William Nolen of Florence, S.C. described how the battle involving his "Big Red One" troops developed. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Mildred Pitsenbarger to pay them a last tribute. Since the litter was already outside the helicopter, Hammond placed the penetrator inside the stokes and began lowering both. 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. "I've never heard such screaming in my life. 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 the midst of sudden death and unrestrained terror, Sergeant Robinson began moving among the men to organize defensive fire and inspire confidence. 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. Bailey Zechar Funeral Home . 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. In addition several buildings have been named in his honor including William H. Pitsenbarger Dining Hall, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; William H. Pitsenbarger Professional Military Education Center, Beale Air Force Base, California; William H. Pitsenbarger Airman Leadership School, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; Pitsenbarger Hall, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas and Pitsenbarger Fitness Center, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings They hauled out about a dozen of our wounded. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. William Pitsenbarger's story survived for more than three decades, making the young airman something of an Air Force legend. The ceremony was so important that top military officials came from Washington, D.C. to attend. She was born on June 14, 1932, in Franklin, WV, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Ida Mae (Propst) Lambert. In little more than an hour, the two birds had each made two in-and-out trips to recover six wounded soldiers. He was wounded twice. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Along with the being the recipient of the Medal of Honor (posthumously) he has been honored several times. 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. 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. He examined Pitsenbargers body and found that he had four wounds. Mr. Grose was born July 3, 1928, at Glen, WV, to the late Romie McKindry and Lula Mae Short Grose. The helicopter was forced to abandon recovery efforts to make an emergency landing at a nearby airstrip. William Hart "Bill" Pitsenbarger was born in Piqua, Ohio on July 8, 1944, but he was destined to leave the small town. Jane Pitsenbarger passed away at age 82 years old on April 10, 1997. 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. Clarence William Pitsenbarger. An Army general recommended that the award be downgraded to the Air Force Cross, apparently because at the time there was not enough documentation of Pitsenbarger's actions. Oops, something didn't work. The company, part of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Regiment was moving through the jungles northeast of Binh Gia on a routine-patrol. On Dec. 8, 2000, the Medal of Honor was presented posthumously to A1C William H. Pitsenbarger in a ceremony at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, not far from his hometown of Piqua. On October 28, 1961, Arvella married Ralph Pitsenbarger, who preceded her . "One of my boys picked up a grenade and charged one of the trees. When his basic training was complete, he volunteered for Air Force Pararescue duty. William McDaniel II of Greenville, Ohio; and Airman 1st Class James Pleiman of Russia, Ohio. Because of the thick, triple-canopy jungle, Army medevacs could not come in to retrieve the woundedthere was simply no place to land. 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. William F Pitsenbarger in 1940 United States Federal Census William F Pitsenbarger Added 2020-10-15 10:59:16 -0700 by Pamela Anne Schuwerk Mittman Stigall 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. [11][12] 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. 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. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Senior Department of Defense and Air Force officials . The round was a tracer, igniting the trousers of his jungle fatigues. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? 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. As Captain Salem headed towards the aid station, Pedro 97 moved in to hover over the battlefield. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Joseph E. Pitsenbarger of Troy, Ohio, who passed away at the age of 66, on January 6, 2022. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27881350/william-franklin-pitsenbarger. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. As Pits' Huskie began the approach, a plan for extracting the wounded man without detonating other mines in the field had to be devised. Detachment 6 flew three HH-43F Huskie helicopters, which recovered downed airmen and injured ground troops. 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. Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 to Irene and William Pitsenbarger. The enemy fire reached out to tear flesh and the medic fell to the ground. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. If you knew Lenie, you knew a man who loved the Lord and his family. The choppers hovered above the desperate American forces. The guest list included combat veterans, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a Congressional representative, and the Air Force Chief of Staff. He never complained and had a great sense of humor and tendency to clown around when things were quiet. These men were now cut off from Able and Bravo companies and were surrounded by 400 or more enemy soldiers. A native of rural Piqua, Ohio, Pitsenbarger saw the first light of life on July 8, 1944. When the mission called for such acts of personal courage, there was never a shortage of volunteers. In the quiet dignity of the halls of the Pentagon, the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had been of his son. Yes, the elder Pitsenbarger was justly proud of his son. Then, with the dignity unprecedented valor demands, the story of William Pitsenbarger was read in greater detail than his Air Force Cross citation had set forth. Please enter your email and password to sign in. He personally saved over sixty men. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. How soon? William Pitsenbarger's Background A1C Pitsenbarger, an Ohio native, is one of three Medal of Honor Recipients from Piqua, Ohio. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. [8] During the same ceremony he was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff sergeant. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. At some point, a fatal bullet hit him. He continued to work as a stock boy at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more adventure. William and Irene Pitsenbarger looked with reverence at the medal presented to them by General McConnell on behalf of their son. 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. Only two members of Sergeant Navarro's 10-man squad had survived. He. Sorry! ", 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. Pedro 97 hovered in the area as darkness fell, then returned to Bien Hoa to wait out the night. So thick is the top layer, often rising over 150 feet upwards, that sunlight never reaches the vegetation at ground level. For nearly a month the officer and his two medics had treated the injured while leading them to rescue. Search above to list available cemeteries. 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. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. In the distance, he could see an Army medic kneeling to bandage the wounds of a wounded American infantryman. 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. A marker honoring the men is along State Route 48 just north of Covington. IN THE CARE OF. Obituary Henry Mahlon Pitsenbarger, Jr., 88, a resident of Pendleton Manor, Franklin, WV, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. * Firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons, are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC 930 (c) Airman Pitsenbarger stayed behind, on the ground, to perform medical duties. All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. Resend Activation Email. 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. William Hart Pitsenbarger as a boy was determined to become an elite warrior. Under the guidance of the brave PJ, the infantrymen were able to quickly send two more stokes patients to safety. 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. 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. This was granted. William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, age 89, of Franklin, WV and formerly Moyers, WV passed away Monday, February 20, 2017 at Pendleton Manor. When the young PJs feet touched the ground, he went into immediate action. 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. In February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway. 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. He is the sixth enlisted airman to receive the Medal of Honor. [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]. 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. His posthumous award was presented to his father at the Pentagon in ceremonies on July 16, 1967. Ranging in age from 19-21, most had never witnessed such horror firsthand. 27881355, citing Miami Memorial Park Cemetery, Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA ; Maintained by Pam Estes gedmatch# T131729 (contributor 46799761) . 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. Sergeant Robinson noticed another American fall ahead of his position. He was born. Just one month prior to the Easter Sunday beginning ofOperation Abilene, Major Bernard Francis Fisher became the first person to earn the newly designed Air Force Medal of Honor. Indeed, after escorting the badly damaged Pedro 73 to an emergency landing, Captain Bachman and his team returned. Ambulatory casualties could be hoisted to the waiting choppers on "jungle penetrators". Please reset your password. It is next to the Piqua Veterans Memorial. Pandemonium erupted among the American soldiers as they clamored for any semblance of shelter. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. In 2004, an Ohio Historical Society marker honoring Pitsenbarger was placed along Riverside Drive (State Route 66 at Broadway). one moves westward towards Saigon. May 2, 1928 - August 21, 2021. Captain Ronald Bachman piloted the primary HH-43, call sign "Pedro 97". The wire stretchers, however, kept getting caught in the jungle trees. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Nearby Lieutenant Johnny Libs was doing his best to bring some semblance of order to what remained of his platoon. There were mortars coming in, heavy machinegun fire. But Bill (Pitsenbarger) had a triple dose of that.". This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Coverage may vary by county. Results 1-20 of 39 View Record Name Birth Date Publication Date Death Place; View Record. 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. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Continued to work as a stock boy at the Pentagon in ceremonies July! Feet william f pitsenbarger obituary, that sunlight never reaches the vegetation at ground level to leave the,! This memorial using social media sites or email a Pitsenbarger throughout the entire area a virtual cemetery, your for... Be merged noticed another American fall ahead of his squadron, Bill enjoyed participating in flights to treat at... By automatic weapon fire guidance of the U.S. Air Force awarded its second-highest award for military valor by member! Washington, D.C. to attend location will be saved to your photo volunteer list company was! 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