Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to remain on the ground and administer medical treatment to the wounded. NAME: Jonathan B. Pittsenborger GENDER: Male MARRIAGE DATE: 21 Nov 1839 MARRIAGE PLACE: Darke, Ohio, USA SPOUSE: Mary Pittsenberger FILM NUMBER: 001030772 From Ancestry.com J. Pitsenbarger in the 1880 United States Federal Census 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. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. . The guest list included combat veterans, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a Congressional representative, and the Air Force Chief of Staff. Then, over the cries of the wounded, he heard the sound of a returning rescue helicopter. He was killed. Normally the unit consisted of 291 men but, going intoOperation Abilene, company strength was down to 134 soldiers. Ranging in age from 19-21, most had never witnessed such horror firsthand. Standing to the side to witness the events that were about to unfold was Ohio Senator Frank Lausche. [6], Soon after Pitsenbarger was killed, his Air Force commanders nominated him for the Medal of Honor. Doctors determined that Dick Rynearson had suffered a broken upper left rib and a shattered sternum. 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. When his body was recovered the next day, one hand still held a rifle and the other clutched a medical kit. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Henry Pitsenbarger, . Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Even as the enemy fire continued to scorch the area, he moved among the casualties to tend the wounded and administer life-saving medical attention. He had at least 2 sons and 1 daughter with Viola Jane Bowyer. He continued to work as a stock boy at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more adventure. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, All Major Military Award Recipients (PDF). William Pitsenbarger's Background A1C Pitsenbarger, an Ohio native, is one of three Medal of Honor Recipients from Piqua, Ohio. Prohibited Items: Clarence William Pitsenbarger. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. After review and nearly 35 years later, the original award was upgraded.[4][7]. All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Rushing forward to rescue the wounded man, enemy rounds slammed into Robinson's shoulder and leg. Along with Pitsenbarger, the men honored on the sign are: Msgt. He was frozen with fear, unable to move. A pararescueman, Pitsenbarger saved lives in an example of selfless heroism worthy of the Medal of Honor. As the survivors hacked through the jungle vegetation, they did not realize they were only yards from their primary objectivethe command post of the Viet Cong BattalionOperation Abilenesought to find and destroy. 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. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. You may print and distribute in quantity for all non-profit, educational purposes. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. Pitsenbarger, or simply "Pits," grew up in the small town of Piqua in Ohio as an only child. She was born October 28, 1929 in Moyers, WV a daughter of the late Lona (Rexrode) and Frank Simmons. They were also dedicated to saving lives, not only during times of war but also in peace. 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.". Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Sidney Daily News. Shortly after rescue efforts were interrupted, the area came under heavy sniper and mortar fire. Captain Harold Salem piloted the back-up aircraft, "Pedro 73". Nine men out and Captain Salem was returning for more as Pedro 97 headed for Binh Ba with their heaviest load of the day. It was placed by The Valley of the Jolly Green Giants and the Ohio Historical Society. Yes, the elder Pitsenbarger was justly proud of his son. Artie Eugene Grose, 88, of Edmond, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Ansted Center in Ansted. Beneath was the body of his friend, Pararescue medic William Pitsenbargershot four times. Verify and try again. Lenie A Pitsenbarger Lenie A. Pitsenbarger, 48, of Mentor, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Lake West Medical Center in Willoughby. Seven of his 10-man squad had already been killed in action. 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. While still in high school, he wanted to join the U.S. Army Special Forces ("The Green Berets"), but his parents, Irene and William Frank Pitsenbarger forbade it. As the battle raged on, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for the wounded, pull them out of the line of fire, and return fire whenever he could, during which time, he was wounded three times. Pitsenbarger was later sent on Temporary Duty (TDY) to Vietnam. Pitsenbarger was the 59th Medal of Honor recipient, and sixth enlisted recipient, from the Air Force and its predecessor organizations.[4]. OBITUARY Shirley A Pitsenbarger December 29, 1932 - February 8, 2023. [13], Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Award for 2012.[14]. Family members linked to this person will appear here. [3] Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Cross on June 30, 1966. 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. His posthumous award was presented to his father at the Pentagon in ceremonies on July 16, 1967. The captain consented and slowly the choppers crew chief Airman First Class Gerald Hammond lowered his friend on the jungle penetrator. Some of the kids were calling for God." Those who knew Pitsenbarger will never forget his courage and willingness to go the last mile to save a soldier. The nearest clearing was 4 miles away. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. So thick is the top layer, often rising over 150 feet upwards, that sunlight never reaches the vegetation at ground level. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Ambulatory casualties could be hoisted to the waiting choppers on "jungle penetrators". The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. GREAT NEWS! Following the recovery of the ninth casualty, the rescue aircraft hovering overhead was damaged and disabled by automatic weapon fire. Among those restored to safety was Eric Severeid, who would go on to become a well-known news commentator. 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. He attended the Navy's underwater swimmers school. The round was a tracer, igniting the trousers of his jungle fatigues. Virginia, to William Pitsenbarger and Mary "Polly" Pitsenbarger (born Amick). At long last, after 34 years, the young PJ would indeed receive the Medal of Honor. Mr. Pitsenbarger graduated from Franklin High School in 1952. Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. 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. Time and again he has faced enemy fire, stared death in the face and calmly set himself to the tasks of a Pararescue medic. Pitsenbarger received orders to go to Okinawa, but requested his orders be changed to go to Vietnam. He came there to save lives and that was what he was doing.. Airman Pitsenbarger, an Air Force Pararescue Crew Member, had died in Vietnam decades earlier on April 11, 1966 while rescuing wounded soldiers. he attended the fire-fighters course for the HH-43 helicopter. As Captain Salem hovered, the Airman Hammond began lowering the stokes from Pedro 73. Pitsenbargers friend Harry OBeirne, eventually was sent in to replace him. He came there to save lives and that was what he was doing., -Fred Navarro, a man whose life William Pitsenbarger saved -, (Photocourtesy of the Piqua Public Library History Department). 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. For those whose lives he touched, he will never be forgotten. Statue dedication ceremony for A1C William H. Pitsenbarger statue at the Pitsenbarger Sports Complex in Piqua, Ohio on November 14, 2015. [5] His unit was composed of five aircrews that flew three Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. Detachment 6 flew three HH-43F Huskie helicopters, which recovered downed airmen and injured ground troops. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other On the ground, he organized and coordinated rescue efforts, cared for the wounded, prepared casualties for evacuation, and insured that the recovery operation continued in a smooth and orderly fashion. Subsequent to the award, Pitsenbarger will also be posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Arvella M. Pitsenbarger. was aretha franklin at the harlem cultural festival? Use tab to navigate through the menu items. In 2004, an Ohio Historical Society marker honoring Pitsenbarger was placed along Riverside Drive (State Route 66 at Broadway). - Camera bags On that date, Airman Pitsenbarger was aboard a rescue helicopter responding to a call for evacuation of casualties incurred in an on-going firefight between elements of the United States Army's 1st Infantry Division and a sizable enemy force approximately 35 miles east of Saigon. Only two members of Sergeant Navarro's 10-man squad had survived. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. Civilian authorities have also honored his name. Airman Pitsenbarger, an Air Force Pararescue Crew Member, had died in Vietnam decades earlier on April 11, 1966 while rescuing wounded soldiers. - Knives Three of the men died in Vietnam and one in the Gulf War. 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. He had been in combat in both World War II and Korea.". 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. Indeed, after escorting the badly damaged Pedro 73 to an emergency landing, Captain Bachman and his team returned. - Strollers On December 2, 1950, she married William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, who preceded her in death. Airman Pitsenbarger arrived in Vietnam on August 8th and was assigned to Detachment 6, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base. On that day, the Medal of Honor was presented to William F. Pitsenbarger for the courageous military service of his deceased son, Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger, United States Air Force. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. 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. 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. The Huskie was the first chopper to land and O'Berne moved among the dead to find and load three wounded infantrymen. Next to him, all was quiet. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. An MRI also revealed a hematoma, or bad bruising, above his kidney that doctors found. The company commander, Capt. 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