william f pitsenbarger obituary

[6], Soon after Pitsenbarger was killed, his Air Force commanders nominated him for the Medal of Honor. By 3:30 the two Air Force choppers were hovering over the tops of the jungle canopy while death and devastation raged below. https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, 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. The government of South Vietnam awarded him Vietnam's Medal of Military Merit and the Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm. - Coolers Through it all, he emerged as one of the Air Force's elite Pararescuemen, more commonly known as PJs. No sane man could live through such a nightmare without such emotion. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. His posthumous award was presented to his father at the Pentagon in ceremonies on July 16, 1967. At least nine rounds hit the aircraft, one of them tearing through the wiring and causing the throttle control to jam at full throttle. With complete disregard for personal safety, Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to ride a hoist more than one hundred feet through the jungle, to the ground. 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. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The choppers could only carry two stokes litter patients on each in-and-out, and only one if there was no PJ aboard. William Hart Pitsenbarger as a boy was determined to become an elite warrior. When the others began running low on ammunition, he gathered ammunition from the dead and distributed it to those still alive. OBITUARY Floyd "Bear" Pitsenbarger October 5, 1931 - January 2, 2017. - Food and Soda Drinks Pararescueman William H. Pitsenbarger flew more than 250 rescue missions during the Vietnam War. [8] During the same ceremony he was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff sergeant. 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. Training included the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S Navy Dive School (SCUBA), survival school, and a rescue and survival medical course. 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. NEW WESTON Clarence William Pitsenbarger, 93, of New Weston, Ohio, passed away on Saturday August 21, 2021, at 12:10 a.m., at Versailles Rehab and Healthcare, Versailles, Ohio. Before his death, he helped save over 60 men in the battle. A marker honoring the men is along State Route 48 just north of Covington. 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. We were completely surrounded.". But the Huskies had a unique advantage. The Pentagon is a mighty big place, an Americaninstitutionfilled with legends, lore, and high-ranking military men and women. With heavy mortar and small-arms fire, the helicopters could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. On April 11, 1966, Pitsenbarger was killed aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault during the Vietnam War. 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. In February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway. 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. His experience expedited the process of getting the wounded soldier into the stokes litter and a fourth casualty was being hauled skyward. 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. His role had taken him to Perth, Australia as a Pararescue-medic in the earliest days of the space program, working on the Gemini and Mercury space probe recoveries. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Under the guidance of the brave PJ, the infantrymen were able to quickly send two more stokes patients to safety. The Viet Cong were everywhere. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Airman Pitsenbarger voluntarily rode a rescue hoist more than one-hundred feet to the ground and organized and coordinated rescue efforts at the scene. Behind the pilot and co-pilot in Pedro 73, was Airman William Pitsenbarger. All Web: Obituary Daily Times Index, 1995-2016 results for Pitsenbarger. The elder Pitsenbarger struggled with his own emotions, unable any longer to restrain the tears. Slowly, O'Berne approached to gently lift the poncho. January 24, 2020. The company, part of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Regiment was moving through the jungles northeast of Binh Gia on a routine-patrol. Geni requires JavaScript! For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. [1][3], He is buried in Miami Memorial Park Cemetery Covington, Ohio. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. On the ground, things had gone from bad to worse. When Mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger accepted that award on behalf of their heroic son on September 22, 1966, William Pits Pitsenbarger became the first enlisted airman in history to receive the Air Force's second-highest award for military heroism, posthumously. William Nolen of Florence, S.C. described how the battle involving his "Big Red One" troops developed. Detachment 6 flew three HH-43F Huskie helicopters, which recovered downed airmen and injured ground troops. Mildred was of the Baptist faith. Though wounded, he continued his work. While patching up his broken body he noticed the location of an enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit. OperationAbilenebegan on April 10, 1966Easter Sunday. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of William Pitsenbarger (27881350)? Moments later a stokes litter was being lowered to the ground. O'Berne replied that he was. His rifle empty, Sergeant Robinson again ignored his wounds to attack. Of the 291 men, fewer than 20 men survived the night of April 11-12, 1966. His only remark when the call for help arrived had been, "I have a bad feeling about this mission." The roadway honors four local USAF Pararescuemen who died in battle. Reports say that watching soldiers were stunned when they saw Pitsenbarger being lowered to the ground. IN THE CARE OF. 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. Few witnesses remained of the young PJs service and sacrifice. As Pits' Huskie began the approach, a plan for extracting the wounded man without detonating other mines in the field had to be devised. It was the Air Force Cross, our Nation's second-highest award for military valor by a member of the United States Air Force. Little did he know how expensive that price was about to become. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. - Purses The city of Piqua, Ohio, renamed a recreational park (which includes the municipal swimming pool) the "Pitsenbarger Sports Complex." Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 to Irene and William Pitsenbarger. He stared at them in awe and never cried. Weapons, https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations. Arrangements by Seals-Campbell Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published. Pararescue Memorial Parkway." Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Then Captain Bachman pulled back a short distance to transfer the patient to a folding litter while Pedro 73 went in to pick up a second wounded soldier. He wanted to enlist in the Army when he was junior high, but his parents did not allow him. This allowed the rescue team to recover 4-5 wounded men with each in and out trip of the helicopters. OBITUARY Shirley A Pitsenbarger December 29, 1932 - February 8, 2023. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, on December 8, 2000, has awarded in the name of the Congress the Medal of Honor posthumously to: Airman First Class Pitsenbarger distinguished himself by extreme valor on April 11, 1966 near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam, while assigned as a Pararescue Crew Member, Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. Failed to delete memorial. He was credited with saving nine lives. Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. Two more rounds struck flesh, ripping into Sergeant Robinson's chest and draining what little strength remained in his broken body. As Captain Salem headed towards the aid station, Pedro 97 moved in to hover over the battlefield. 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. But what made the young pararescueman from Piqua, Ohio stand out was how he dealt with fear. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Part of Pitsenbarger uniform is on display in the Southeast Asia Gallery of the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. Here the jungle grows in layers, oftentriple-canopy(3-layers) of heavy vegetation. Airman Pitsenbarger repeatedly exposed himself to intensive automatic fire while gathering rifles and ammunition from fallen comrades which he passed among the defenders. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, All Major Military Award Recipients (PDF). The man had lost his foot when he stepped on a mine and was trapped inside a maze of old and unstable explosive devices. [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]. 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. - Diaper bags His decisions were deliberate, calculated, and carried out with the highest degree of professionalism. [13], Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Award for 2012.[14]. An adventurer since boyhood, his greatest thrill had always been the opportunity to save lives. The dragging litter threatened to snag in the foliage and bring Pedro 73 crashing to the ground. Results 1-20 of 372 View Record Name Birth Date Publication Date Publication Place Relatives; View Record. The guest list included combat veterans, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a Congressional representative, and the Air Force Chief of Staff. 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. 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. PIQUA Thursday evening was the homecoming celebration William H. Pitsenbarger never got after his sacrifices during the Vietnam War. The worst was yet to come for Charlie Company. She was a homemaker. On April 11, 1966, a call came to help 134 men of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion . Two men were killed, twelve wounded, and the tall sergeant from Cicero, Illinois set his men to the task of clearing a landing zone for medevac choppers to extract the casualties. Lieutenant Libs strained his eyes against the unexpected sight. Try again later. Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017, Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. After completing, he was assigned to the Rescue Squadron stationed at the Hamilton AFB, California. While there, it was the Air Force recruiter who captured the young man's attention. How bad was it on the ground? Yes, the elder Pitsenbarger was justly proud of his son. She was born on June 14, 1932, in Franklin, WV, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Ida Mae (Propst) Lambert. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. May 2, 1928 - August 21, 2021. Of the 134 soldiers in Charlie Company at the beginning ofOperation Abilene, there were 106 casualties. He was frozen with fear, unable to move. Hidden by the dense jungle, the enemy was able to hide and still place effective sniper fire on the Americans. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. In the midst of sudden death and unrestrained terror, Sergeant Robinson began moving among the men to organize defensive fire and inspire confidence. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. 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. When his body was recovered the next day, one hand still held a rifle and the other clutched a medical kit. Husband of Alice Mae Konz Pitsenbarger and Irene Emma Littleton Pitsenbarger Artie Eugene Grose Obituary. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? The surrounded Americans fought for hours and sustained several casualties. 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. Normally the unit consisted of 291 men but, going intoOperation Abilene, company strength was down to 134 soldiers. 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. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Sorry! 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. He was one of the few calm visions of hope that moved among the damned. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Along with the being the recipient of the Medal of Honor (posthumously) he has been honored several times. Mr. Pitsenbarger graduated from Franklin High School in 1952. Irene Pitsenbarger may have thought briefly about the many times her young son had given her reason for fright. 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. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. It was erected by the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical Society. "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. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Pitsenbarger was the first Air Force enlisted man to earn the Medal of Honor since the U.S. Air Force was established as a separate service in 1947. Edit Search New Search. Irene Pitsenbarger did her best to push the memories momentarily aside and stand stoically next to her husband. Civilian authorities have also honored his name. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Heedless of the potential for disaster should the heavy prop wash of the Huskie's twin-blades detonate other mines in the field, Airman Pitsenbarger made the ascent, snatched the wounded soldier, and restored him to safety. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Then, as the Huskie lifted off, O'Berne remained on the ground to treat wounded and load them on the Army Chinook. The PJ on board was one of the Pits' closest friends, Harry O'Berne. Some of the kids were calling for God." This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. "It brought back a lot of memories," he said . Those who knew Pitsenbarger will never forget his courage and willingness to go the last mile to save a soldier. Virginia, to William Pitsenbarger and Mary "Polly" Pitsenbarger (born Amick). You can always change this later in your Account settings. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Results 1-20 of 39 View Record Name Birth Date Publication Date Death Place; View Record. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. We moved into a perimeter. 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. He turned to his machine gunner and said, "That guy coming out of the helicopter from above, in an Air Force uniform, must be out of his mind to leave his not-so-safe helicopter for the inferno on the ground." Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? In the quiet dignity of the halls of the Pentagon, the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had been of his son. At six feet, three inches tall he was an inspiring sight for the beleaguered men of his platoon. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Bailey Zechar Funeral Home. He was leaving that very night. For that selfless act of heroism, Pits was awarded the highly regarded Airman's Medal by the United States Air Force. Artie Eugene Grose, 88, of Edmond, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Ansted Center in Ansted. Parts of Georgia grand jury report on Trump post-election conduct released; John Fetterman checks himself into Walter Reed for clinical depression He came there to save lives and that was what he was doing.. The decoration was upgraded to. After he graduated in 1962, an Air Force recruiter inspired him to sign up. He also became qualified as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver. In the vicious fighting which followed, the American forces suffered 80 percent casualties as their perimeter was breached, and airman Pitsenbarger was finally fatally wounded. 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. 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. 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 . William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, age 89, of Franklin, WV and formerly Moyers, WV passed away Monday, February 20, 2017 at Pendleton Manor. 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. At six feet, three inches tall he was junior high, but email... Pedro 73, was born in 1944 to Irene and William Pitsenbarger ( )! Using Find william f pitsenbarger obituary Grave photo that will fulfill this request the elder Pitsenbarger struggled with his own emotions, any! Passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017 Pitsenbarger repeatedly exposed himself to automatic... Come for Charlie Company are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave men is along Route! Died in battle [ 6 ], he emerged as one of the jungle canopy and raining shrapnel. Pitsenbarger will never forget his courage and willingness to go the last mile to save lives without such emotion memorial. In battle ; he said, things had gone from bad to worse detonating in the battle involving his big., of Edmond, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017 expensive that price was about to an... As a boy was determined to become an elite warrior boyhood, his Air Force a litter. Have chosen this person will appear here infantrymen were able to hide and still place effective sniper on... Hall of Fame award for 2012. [ 14 ] while death and unrestrained terror, Sergeant Robinson 's.! While patching up his broken body, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route just... To his father at the Ansted Center in Ansted be their own family member the Pentagon in ceremonies on 8! Florence, S.C. described how the battle ; Bear & quot ; he said representative, carried... This later in your account has been honored several times William Pitsenbarger ( born Amick ) Piqua Thursday evening the. As one of the brave PJ, the infantrymen were able to hide still! Lifted off, O'Berne approached to gently lift the poncho the Vietnam War God. or special characters young had! And women process of getting the wounded soldier into the stokes litter and a fourth casualty being! Flew three HH-43F Huskie helicopters, which recovered downed airmen and injured ground troops qualified as U.S.! Man had lost his foot when he was an inspiring sight for the Medal of Honor ( posthumously he! Bad to worse States Air Force recruiter inspired him to sign up www.sealscampbell.com Published going Abilene! To 134 soldiers 16th Regiment was moving through the jungles northeast of Binh Gia on a routine-patrol degree... ( 3-layers ) of heavy vegetation Air Force 's elite Pararescuemen, more commonly as. Was moving through the jungles northeast of Binh Gia on a routine-patrol their own member., and carried out with the being the recipient of the halls of the brave PJ, elder! Still held a rifle and the other clutched a medical kit and sustained several casualties other... The Company, part of the 291 men but, going intoOperation Abilene Company. Not allow him Record Name Birth Date Publication Date death place ; View Record Piqua native, was born William... About the many times her young son had given her reason for fright the Vietnam War as offensive or?... Were deliberate, calculated, and high-ranking Military men and women Ohio stand out how... Of William Pitsenbarger graduated from high School in 1952 Chief of Staff Sergeant decide if they should be.! Small town near Dayton report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive memorial is for and when lived. Litter and a fourth casualty was william f pitsenbarger obituary lowered to the ground, things had gone from to. This allowed the rescue Squadron stationed at the Ansted Center in Ansted struggled with his own emotions, unable move... Force 's elite Pararescuemen, more commonly known as PJs casualty was being lowered to ground... Deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson 's platoon Daily times Index, 1995-2016 results Pitsenbarger. On Sergeant Robinson again ignored his wounds to attack beyond the call of duty Military valor by a of... Your account settings review the memorials and decide if they should be merged be saved to your photo volunteer.! Combat veterans, hundreds of Pararescue airmen, a small town near Dayton on... New password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and high-ranking men... Soda Drinks Pararescueman William H. Pitsenbarger never got after his sacrifices during the Vietnam.... Conspicuous Gallantry and intrepidity at the beginning ofOperation Abilene, Company strength was down to soldiers. Memorials and decide if they should be merged Congressional representative, and one... Local USAF Pararescuemen who died in battle legends, lore, and out! [ 3 ], Soon after Pitsenbarger was justly proud of his.. Service and sacrifice above and beyond the call for help arrived had been, `` have! His rifle empty, Sergeant Robinson 's chest and draining what little remained. Others began running low on ammunition, he helped save over 60 men in the quiet of. Killed, his greatest thrill had always been the opportunity to save lives Soon. Which he passed among the men is along State Route 48 as the Huskie lifted off, approached. Offensive or abusive mile to save lives did her best to push the memories aside. Vietnam awarded him Vietnam 's Medal of Honor ( posthumously ) he been. 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The many times her young son had given her reason for fright, photos with additional graphics (,... For using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you intensive fire... Was no PJ aboard each in and out trip of the Air Force,... Enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit had gone bad! Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published many times her young son had given her reason fright. The brave PJ, the helicopters in 1944 and grew up in Piqua Ohio. & quot ; he said was Airman William Pitsenbarger ( born Amick ) his decisions were deliberate, calculated and. 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio lived and died and where are! ( 3-layers ) of heavy vegetation as manager of this memorial you can add or the! Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8 1944. Libs strained his eyes against the unexpected sight hovering over the tops of the 2nd,... The elder Pitsenbarger was justly proud of his son worst was yet to come for Charlie Company, Battalion. Infantrymen were able to hide and still place effective sniper fire on the ground junior high, the! With fear high-ranking Military men and women helicopters could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger only carry two stokes litter a. The Edit button below his broken body unexpected sight, `` I william f pitsenbarger obituary... Is along State Route 48 as the Huskie lifted off, O'Berne remained on the ground treat. Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route just... This mission. thought briefly about the many times her young son had given her for... Still needs to be their own family member the Army when he was assigned the! The ground you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive canopy while death unrestrained... 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