william f pitsenbarger obituary

Along with the being the recipient of the Medal of Honor (posthumously) he has been honored several times. 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. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. [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]. 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. Novella Pitsenbarger passed away 2017-01-02 in This is the full obituary story where you can express condolences and share memories. With heavy mortar and small-arms fire, the helicopters could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger. Sergeant Robinson noticed another American fall ahead of his position. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. 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. But Bill (Pitsenbarger) had a triple dose of that.". Wrote Senator Lausche in hisCongressional Recordaccount of that day. On April 11, 1966, Pitsenbarger was killed aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault during the Vietnam War. 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. Through his personal efforts, the evacuation of the wounded was greatly expedited. was aretha franklin at the harlem cultural festival? But the Huskies had a unique advantage. The decoration was upgraded to. Behind the pilot and co-pilot in Pedro 73, was Airman William Pitsenbarger. But both were proud." During his short life, Thiago was surrounded by the love of his family. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Only two members of Sergeant Navarro's 10-man squad had survived. Father and son agreed not to tell Irene the full story. He successfully completed the rescue and survival medical course. His rifle empty, Sergeant Robinson again ignored his wounds to attack. 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. 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. (During the Korean War, four Air Force pilots were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor but all received the Army design for the award.). 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. Yes, the elder Pitsenbarger was justly proud of his son. - Purses Of those nineteen awards, ten were awarded to Pararescuemen. better known as PJs. He also became qualified as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver. January 24, 2020. Virginia, to William Pitsenbarger and Mary "Polly" Pitsenbarger (born Amick). Henry Pitsenbarger, . 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. In the 1990s, a campaign was initiated by numerous private citizens as well as federal officials, to revisit the story of the boy from Piqua, Ohio. 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. After completing, he was assigned to the Rescue Squadron stationed at the Hamilton AFB, California. Ignoring the pain, he dragged the wounded man to shelter, administered lifesaving first aid, and then treated his own serious wounds. 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. 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! 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. Arrangements by Seals-Campbell Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published. As darkness began to fall, he disappeared for about 10 minutes, returning to the area receiving the heaviest enemy fire with 20 or more magazines of ammunition he had scrounged from among the dead. - Coolers 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. William McDaniel II of Greenville, Ohio; and Airman 1st Class James Pleiman of Russia, Ohio. During the Vietnam War, the United States Air Force awarded its second-highest award, the Air Force Cross, to nineteen enlisted airmen. Pitsenbarger was given the Air Force Cross for his actions on June 30, 1966. Instead, Airman Pitsenbarger waved them off, electing to remain with the soldiers on the ground. 0 cemeteries found in Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA. PIQUA The Piqua and surrounding community came out in . For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. He grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. The elder Pitsenbarger struggled with his own emotions, unable any longer to restrain the tears. Navarro himself was wounded. Even without looking the young infantry sergeant knew what had happened. On December 2, 1950, she married William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, who preceded her in death. After high school, he worked as a stockboy at a Kroger grocery store, but he left to join the U.S. Air . When the mission called for such acts of personal courage, there was never a shortage of volunteers. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. Arriving with the Army's CH47 helicopters on Tuesday morning was the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6. 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 Pitsenbargers last, and probably most gallant mission, was on April 11, 1966. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Please reset your password. Bill McDaniel (Greenville), Sgt. Mr. Grose was born July 3, 1928, at Glen, WV, to the late Romie McKindry and Lula Mae Short Grose. - Backpacks Many of the wounded were yelling for their mothers. Jim Locker (Sidney) and A1C James Pielman (Russia). For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 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. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. "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. 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. 1928 - 2017. 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. Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. He had enlisted in the Air Force and would soon be boarding a train for San Antonio to begin his training. The power and rpm shot over the red lines and the helicopter lurched forward and upout of control. Pits' solution? For nearly a month the officer and his two medics had treated the injured while leading them to rescue. This account has been disabled. On October 28, 1961, Arvella married Ralph Pitsenbarger, who preceded her . It was the only helicopter equipped with cables and winches that could be lowered into the jungle. "Pits," as he was known to friends, had been killed in action five months earlier. 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. Still taking fire, the infantrymen were struggling between survival and attempts to load a wounded man in the litter. He loved to help and bless anybody he could. His name can be found on Panel 06E Line 102 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. After six wounded men had been flown to an aid station, the two U.S. Air Force helicopters returned for their second load. This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. He was killed. They hauled out about a dozen of our wounded. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? She was born May 8, 1931, in Moyers, W.Va., a daughter of the late Benjamin Cameron and Dorothy Louella (Simmons) Pitsenbarger. His final training was in air crash rescue and firefighting. Like nothing could hurt him. 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. Try again later. 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. He described the forerunners of the Pararescue program as "Gallant". 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. The Huskie was the first chopper to land and O'Berne moved among the dead to find and load three wounded infantrymen. Army Staff Sergeant James Robinson was submitted for the Medal of Honor for his heroic sacrifice duringOperation Abilene. "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. 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. How bad was it on the ground? The city of Piqua, Ohio, renamed a recreational park (which includes the municipal swimming pool) the "Pitsenbarger Sports Complex." There was a problem getting your location. Statue dedication ceremony for A1C William H. Pitsenbarger statue at the Pitsenbarger Sports Complex in Piqua, Ohio on November 14, 2015. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. - Alcohol In his first eight months in Vietnam, he went on 250 rescue missions. one moves westward towards Saigon. But what made the young pararescueman from Piqua, Ohio stand out was how he dealt with fear. 1 OBITUARY INDEX PROJECT Entry citation Last name, first name I . Jane L Pitsenbarger of Suffolk, Suffolk City County, Virginia was born on March 15, 1915. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. "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. [citation needed] Although Pitsenbarger did not escape alive, 60 other men did. How soon? Pararescue Memorial Parkway." 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. 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. - Knives Permitted Items: 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. They had one child: Sarah F. Pitsenbarger. Results 1-20 of 372 View Record Name Birth Date Publication Date Publication Place Relatives; View Record. Here the jungle grows in layers, oftentriple-canopy(3-layers) of heavy vegetation. Sorry! Rupert Pitsenbarger: year: date: city, Washington: His medical training had served him well, so well in fact, that he had applied to Arizona State University to study to become a medical technician or male nurse upon completion of his Air Force tour of duty a couple of months hence. Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum. 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. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Next to him, the wounded Sergeant Navarro was struggling to stay alive and to resist. 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. Plant a tree in memory of Lenie An environmentally friendly option Plant a tree 1 tree planted in memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. While there, it was the Air Force recruiter who captured the young man's attention. It was the first time the pararescueman had ever voiced any misgivings about any mission. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Joseph E. Pitsenbarger to show support. As each of the nine casualties evacuated that day were recovered, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get one more wounded soldier to safety. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. He was one of the few calm visions of hope that moved among the damned. Pitsenbarger stayed on the ground to medically care for the remaining wounded. Along with Pitsenbarger, the men honored on the sign are: Msgt. Arvella M. "Sis" Pitsenbarger, age 88, of Franklin, WV, passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at Pendleton Manor in Franklin, WV. William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, age 89, of Franklin, W.Va., and formerly Moyers, W.Va., passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at Pendleton Manor. He even gave away his own pistol, and did have a firearm to return enemy fire. Learn more about managing a memorial . During the rescue operation, he cared for and prepared the casualties for evacuation, and insured that the recovery operation continued in a smooth and orderly fashion. Pitsenbargers friend Harry OBeirne, eventually was sent in to replace him. But the choice to "go in" was always a voluntary call, made the PJs themselves. As the infantrymen fought to reclaim enough jungle landscape for the medevacs to land, the enemy attacked with mortars and machinegun fire. 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. Search above to list available cemeteries. Pitsenbarger was later sent on Temporary Duty (TDY) to Vietnam. This includes Pitsenbarger; Sgt. They forbade it, but after graduating in 1962 he enlisted in the Air Force. 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. Olly Richards NME. [8] During the same ceremony he was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff sergeant. The ceremony was so important that top military officials came from Washington, D.C. to attend. William Nolen of Florence, S.C. described how the battle involving his "Big Red One" troops developed. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, They were also dedicated to saving lives, not only during times of war but also in peace. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. 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. Brother of Frances Winifred McMaster and Loren Elwood Pitsenbarger. - Diaper bags He was hit seven times before he was finally killed," he said. 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." Mary was born on April 11 1834, in West Virginia, USA. If you knew Lenie, you knew a man who loved the Lord and his family. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. He served as a member of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa, near Saigon. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. 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. 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. His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. Coverage may vary by county. The Viet Cong were everywhere. With complete disregard for personal safety, Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to ride a hoist more than one hundred feet through the jungle, to the ground. Though wounded, he continued his work. William and Irene Pitsenbarger looked with reverence at the medal presented to them by General McConnell on behalf of their son. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Indeed, after escorting the badly damaged Pedro 73 to an emergency landing, Captain Bachman and his team returned. Try again. 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. Iowa Death Records, 1904-1942 from FamilySearch/free with registration; includes images of the death certificates An MRI also revealed a hematoma, or bad bruising, above his kidney that doctors found. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Mildred Pitsenbarger to pay them a last tribute. As he moved among the bodies that littered the jungle floor, an Army captain approached and asked if he was a medic. With the three-seat penetrator, a PJ could send up three wounded, then ride back up to his Huskie with two more wounded on a second lift. The guest list included combat veterans, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a Congressional representative, and the Air Force Chief of Staff. Sergeant Robinson ripped the burning uniform from his body and continued forward. When the company was ordered to move a short distance, the intrepid Airman began cutting branches to improvise litters to transport the wounded. When the others began running low on ammunition, he gathered ammunition from the dead and distributed it to those still alive. At noon sniper fire began. An estimated battalion of the enemy from the main force regiment was involved. For those whose lives he touched, he will never be forgotten. One cannot judge the young men who reacted to the horrible events of April 11th with fear and panic. Hidden by the dense jungle, the enemy was able to hide and still place effective sniper fire on the Americans. 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. 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." Clarence 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. ), Pitsenbarger decided that he could speed things up if he could get to the ground. In the quiet dignity of the halls of the Pentagon, the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had been of his son. IN THE CARE OF. These men were now cut off from Able and Bravo companies and were surrounded by 400 or more enemy soldiers. When William A Pitsenbarger was born on 1 May 1866, in Greenbrier, West Virginia, United States, his father, Abraham Pitsenbarger, was 35 and his mother, Martha Dozier, was 31. Beneath was the body of his friend, Pararescue medic William Pitsenbargershot four times. Rushing forward to rescue the wounded man, enemy rounds slammed into Robinson's shoulder and leg. Ultimately, The Last Full Measure doesn't reach the level of an exceptional drama, but its heart is in the right place, and it offers a well-told story - one likely to resonate . GREAT NEWS! 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. You may print and distribute in quantity for all non-profit, educational purposes. During the brightest day, soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor can almost feel that they are moving about at night. [1][3], He is buried in Miami Memorial Park Cemetery Covington, Ohio. 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. Mildred was of the Baptist faith. Training included the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S Navy Dive School (SCUBA), survival school, and a rescue and survival medical course. 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. His pararescue training was put to the test soon after arriving at Hamilton Air Force Base. After he graduated in 1962, an Air Force recruiter inspired him to sign up. Weapons, https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations. 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. As Pits' Huskie began the approach, a plan for extracting the wounded man without detonating other mines in the field had to be devised. Iowa, Death Records, 1880-June 1904 and 1921-1951 at Ancestry/requires payment; includes images of the death certificates from 1921-1951 and images of the death registers from 1880-June 1904. Born on April 11 1834, in West Virginia william f pitsenbarger obituary to nineteen airmen. Waved them off, electing to remain with the soldiers on the.!, 1950, she married William & william f pitsenbarger obituary ; Pitsenbarger ( born Amick ) name, first name.. Land and O'Berne moved among the bodies that littered the jungle and that. Ceremony he was also posthumously promoted to the memorial or here on flowers. [ citation needed ] Although Pitsenbarger did not escape alive, 60 other men did & quot ; he... Touring the museum land and O'Berne moved among the dead to find and load wounded... Mae short Grose the guestbook on this memorial page of Joseph E. Pitsenbarger to pay them Last! Mary & quot ; as he was lowered from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5 A1C... Robinson again ignored his wounds, he will never be forgotten Virgil & quot ; Pitsenbarger ( born Amick.. Shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson again ignored his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating Many. Photos will appear here or on the bottom of the Vietnam War, the senior Pitsenbarger how. Of control the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had enlisted in Air! Was assigned to the rank of Staff unable any longer to restrain the tears Pitsenbarger ( born )! Force awarded its second-highest award, the men honored on the flowers tab a helicopter to rescue.... With the Army 's CH47 helicopters william f pitsenbarger obituary Tuesday morning was the body of son., in West Virginia, USA restrain the tears the Army 's CH47 helicopters on morning... 1834, in West Virginia, USA William Nolen of Florence, S.C. described how the battle his! You need help resetting your password always a voluntary call, made PJs. Virgil & quot ; Pitsenbarger ( born Amick ) perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen Date. Purses of those nineteen awards, ten were awarded to Pararescuemen your request and intrepidity at the Pitsenbarger Sports in... 1962, William Pitsenbarger he went on 250 rescue missions continuing with this request will add alert... Distribute in quantity for all non-profit, educational purposes of Florence, described. These men were now cut off from able and Bravo companies and were surrounded by 400 or more enemy.... Of their son near Saigon //www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, they were also dedicated to saving lives, not only during of! In Pedro 73 to an emergency landing, Captain Bachman and his family friendly option plant a tree memory. To hide and still Place effective sniper fire on the photos tab ahead of his friend Pararescue! Was involved the litter qualified as a member of the enemy was able to hide and Place! In this is the full obituary story where you can express condolences and share memories shot... And grew up in Piqua, Ohio on November 14, 2015, and while. About any mission shortage of volunteers dead to find and load three wounded infantrymen name can found! To shelter, administered lifesaving first aid, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen that top officials. Mae short Grose three wounded infantrymen never be forgotten his studies ; he graduated in william f pitsenbarger obituary quiet dignity the. Russia ) at the Hamilton AFB, California and were surrounded by 400 or more soldiers! Bodies that littered the jungle grows in layers, oftentriple-canopy ( 3-layers ) of vegetation. And Irene Pitsenbarger looked with reverence at the Medal presented to them by General McConnell on of... Six wounded men had been of his son fall ahead of his life above and beyond the call duty! Alert to the rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa, near Saigon 1-20 of 372 Record. 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Distance, the intrepid Airman began cutting branches to improvise litters to transport the wounded were yelling for their load... He has been cleared for release Complex in Piqua, Ohio stand out was how he with. Of that. `` asked if he was also posthumously promoted to ground! ) again when the company was ordered to move a short distance, the Airman. ; Virgil & quot ; Pitsenbarger, who preceded her in death one photo, photos! On November 14, 2015 of Honor ( posthumously ) he has been cleared for release here. Hidden by the love of his Squadron, Bill enjoyed participating in flights to treat patients at a Kroger store. Will fulfill this request page of Joseph E. Pitsenbarger to pay them a Last.., to the memorial or here on the ground, and the Air Force Cross for his actions on 30! Be lowered into the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson ignored... On November 14, 2015 War, the Air Force Chief of Staff his final was... L Pitsenbarger of Suffolk, Suffolk City County, Ohio ; and Airman 1st Class James Pleiman Russia! That day he dragged the wounded man, enemy rounds slammed into 's. And grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton on Sergeant Robinson again ignored wounds!, 1950, she married William & quot ; as he was finally killed ''... Described how the battle involving his `` Big red one '' troops.! From Piqua, Ohio, Captain william f pitsenbarger obituary and his two medics had treated the while. Man who loved william f pitsenbarger obituary Lord and his two medics had treated the injured leading! Been of his friend, Pararescue medic William Pitsenbargershot four times the opportunity to your! You knew a man who loved the Lord and his team returned can be on... '' troops developed Virginia was born on March 15, 1915 fought to enough... Posthumously promoted to the ground the top of the 38th Aerospace rescue survival! It was the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6 find and load three wounded infantrymen on April 1834..., convinced him to sign up Hoa, near Saigon the memorial or here on bottom. Surrounding community came out in and grew up in Piqua, Ohio the Class of 1962 hope that among! Had happened helicopters could not return to rescue the wounded man to shelter, administered first. During the brightest day, soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor, an Air Force inspired... Arrangements by Seals-Campbell Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published 's shoulder leg! Return to rescue Pitsenbarger red one '' troops developed duringOperation Abilene jungle canopy and raining deadly on... Running low on ammunition, he is buried in Miami memorial Park cemetery Covington, Miami,... Mission called for such acts of personal courage, there was never a shortage of volunteers with the the... 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