william f pitsenbarger obituary

Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters presented the award, which was accepted by William F. Pitsenbarger on his son's behalf. 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. His rifle empty, Sergeant Robinson again ignored his wounds to attack. Also attending was an elderly gentleman, now well into his 80sWilliam F. Pitsenbarger. Pits, as the Airman from Piqua, Ohio came to be called, was a happy and likable young man. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum. 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. Try again later. ). To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. "The mother was brave. 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. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. He had been in combat in both World War II and Korea.". He grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. This account has been disabled. During most of the missions the rescues were conducted under fire from enemy forces. Seven of his 10-man squad had already been killed in action. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? 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. OBeirne believes Pitsenbarger probably continued giving aid until he was hit the third or fourth time. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. 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. He stared at them in awe and never cried. Civilian authorities have also honored his name. His commander, Major Maurice Kessler, called him "One of a special breed. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute ammunition (from dead and wounded soldiers) to American defenders. When its engine began to lose power, the pilot realized he had to get the helicopter away from the area as soon as possible. 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 returned fire whenever he could, during which time he was wounded three times.. 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. 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. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Lenie A Pitsenbarger Willoughby, Ohio March 26, 1973 - September 1, 2021 Obituary & Events Share a memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. He was wounded twice. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Pitsenbarger was in his element in Vietnam. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Statue dedication ceremony for A1C William H. Pitsenbarger statue at the Pitsenbarger Sports Complex in Piqua, Ohio on November 14, 2015. Another Viet Cong bullet hit the intrepid soldier in the leg. 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. 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. An adventurer since boyhood, his greatest thrill had always been the opportunity to save lives. They found the hunters and began to cut a trail down the mountain. By 3:30 the two Air Force choppers were hovering over the tops of the jungle canopy while death and devastation raged below. 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. According to Pitsenbargers Medal of Honor biography, Pitsenbarger reacted instantly with confidence and courage, charging toward the bear and yelling as if enraged. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Mildred Pitsenbarger to pay them a last tribute. 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. In addition to the Airman's Medal and the Vietnamese awards, their son had received the Purple Heart and six Air Medals with four more pending. He was frozen with fear, unable to move. 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. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. She was born on June 14, 1932, in Franklin, WV, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Ida Mae (Propst) Lambert. This action earned him the Airman's Medal and the Republic of Vietnam's Medal of Military Merit and Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm.[4]. - Strollers He successfully completed the rescue and survival medical course. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. Pandemonium erupted among the American soldiers as they clamored for any semblance of shelter. Rushing forward to rescue the wounded man, enemy rounds slammed into Robinson's shoulder and leg. 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. 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. As a junior in high school, he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret, but his parents refused to give their permission. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. Fred Navarro, a man whose life William Pitsenbarger saved -. When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. The man had lost his foot when he stepped on a mine and was trapped inside a maze of old and unstable explosive devices. Some honors can be seen by the public. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Their only son, Pararescue-medic WilliamPitsPitsenbarger had just made historybecoming the first enlisted Airman in history to receive the Air Force Crossposthumously. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Jump to navigation Jump to search. 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. 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. A pararescueman, Pitsenbarger saved lives in an example of selfless heroism worthy of the Medal of Honor. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of William Pitsenbarger (27881350)? If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Twelve members of the United States Air Force received Medals of Honor for heroic actions in Vietnam. Quickly the total darkness of the jungle night was falling across the area as the two men lay in their position returning fire on the enemy. 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 . Shirley was born December 29, 1932, in Miami County to the late Milton & Edna (Niesley) Buckingham. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? 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. He was killed. William Hart Pitsenbarger as a boy was determined to become an elite warrior. Time and again these brave medics had been inserted to save lives. Please reset your password. The Viet Cong were everywhere. Over the months that followed William Pitsenbarger did his best to downplay the dangers of his job in his letters home. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Pitsenbarger was later sent on Temporary Duty (TDY) to Vietnam. Only two members of Sergeant Navarro's 10-man squad had survived. On December 8, 2000, an impressive ceremony was held at Wright-Patterson AFB in Pits' home state of Ohio. The firefight was at Cam My, in the Republic of Vietnam, about 35 miles east of Saigon. William McDaniel II of Greenville, Ohio; and Airman 1st Class James Pleiman of Russia, Ohio. Weapons, https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations. In a ceremony held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 8, 2000, Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten "Whit" Peters presented the Medal of Honor to the parents, William F. and Alice Pitsenbarger, of Airman 1st Class William F. Pitsenbarger. An estimated battalion of the enemy from the main force regiment was involved. (Note: Only the US Air Force HH43 Huskie helicopter could rescue wounded from the jungle. My own platoon medic, who was later killed, was totally ineffective. As Captain Salem hovered, the Airman Hammond began lowering the stokes from Pedro 73. Finding one wounded infantryman, injured beyond the ability to fire a rifle, Pits gave the soldier his own pistol to enable him to continue to resist. Arriving with the Army's CH47 helicopters on Tuesday morning was the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6. Shirley A. Pitsenbarger age 90, of Versailles passed away at 9:16 pm Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at her residence. After review and nearly 35 years later, the original award was upgraded.[4][7]. After arriving on the scene, OBeirne learned of Pitsenbargers death. The American forces, including Pitsenbarger, soon came under sniper fire and mortar attacks from the Viet Cong. Thanks for your help! Plant a tree in memory of Lenie An environmentally friendly option Plant a tree 1 tree planted in memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. Rescue personnel on board, the helicopters lowered wire stretchers to the ground to try to pick up wounded men. This is a carousel with slides. FREEAdmission & Parking, Sometimes, awards and decorations are presented posthumously. Geni requires JavaScript! When he found the bodies of American boys that could not be saved, he gathered weapons and ammunition to distribute among those who could still fight. There is a problem with your email/password. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27881350/william-franklin-pitsenbarger. - Firearms* Dead and wounded American boys littered the undergrowth in what was quickly becoming a massacre. In the other, he still clutched his medical kit. said Haley, one of the few survivors. Add to your scrapbook. - Camera bags 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 based on information from your browser. He and another pararescuer were asked to find two hunters lost in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. William and Irene Pitsenbarger looked with reverence at the medal presented to them by General McConnell on behalf of their son. Beneath was the body of his friend, Pararescue medic William Pitsenbargershot four times. 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. 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. Try again later. Airman Pitsenbarger stayed behind, on the ground, to perform medical duties. The two Huskies then turned towards the field aid station 7 miles away near the village of Binh Ba. Pitsenbarger was given the Air Force Cross for his actions on June 30, 1966. He continued to work as a stock boy at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more adventure. 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. 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 . During his basic training in early 1963, he volunteered for Pararescue. The recommendation for William Pitsenbarger's Medal of Honor was downgraded to the Air Force Cross. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. Obituary Henry Mahlon Pitsenbarger, Jr., 88, a resident of Pendleton Manor, Franklin, WV, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. As the fighting continued to escalate, more wounded fell. Pedro 97 hovered in the area as darkness fell, then returned to Bien Hoa to wait out the night. The round was a tracer, igniting the trousers of his jungle fatigues. It was erected by the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical Society. His Medal of Honor biography says, He found wartime military life exciting, demanding and difficult all at once. Because of the thick, triple-canopy jungle, Army medevacs could not come in to retrieve the woundedthere was simply no place to land. Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. Ignoring the pain, he dragged the wounded man to shelter, administered lifesaving first aid, and then treated his own serious wounds. In Vietnam Airman 1st Class William H. "Bill" Pitsenbarger gave his life so that others might live. Yes, the elder Pitsenbarger was justly proud of his son. Navarro himself was wounded. He never complained and had a great sense of humor and tendency to clown around when things were quiet. 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. 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. The PJ on board was one of the Pits' closest friends, Harry O'Berne. Without their PJ aboard, the chopper could only carry out one stokes patient, so Pedro 73 headed back to Binh Ba. In 2005, the State of Ohio designated State Route 48 as the "U.S.A.F. He came there to save lives and that was what he was doing.. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. - Water bottles (clear, sealed bottle, up to 20 oz.) After six wounded men had been flown to an aid station, the two U.S. Air Force helicopters returned for their second load. The father shed tears. When the young PJs feet touched the ground, he went into immediate action. 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. PIQUA The Piqua and surrounding community came out in . 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. Alice Pitsenbarger (right) observes as her husband, William F. Pitsenbarger (center), accepts the Medal of Honor on behalf of his son, A1C William H. Pitsenbarger, from Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters, during a ceremony Dec. 8, 2000, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. The firing was so intense that a fire team leader in my platoon curled up in a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably. Doctors determined that Dick Rynearson had suffered a broken upper left rib and a shattered sternum. This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. Meanwhile, Alpha and Bravo Companies poised themselves for a rescue attempt at daylight. When the company was ordered to move a short distance, the intrepid Airman began cutting branches to improvise litters to transport the wounded. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in December 1963 and went to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for basic training. In a ceremony held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 8, 2000, Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten "Whit" Peters presented the Medal of Honor to the parents, William F. and Alice Pitsenbarger, of Airman 1st Class William F. Pitsenbarger. The Last Full Measure is about real-life Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger who tragically died at the age of 21 during a rescue mission in 1966 after saving countless lives during the war. Of those nineteen awards, ten were awarded to Pararescuemen. better known as PJs. 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. Try again later. Please try again later. 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. Standing to the side to witness the events that were about to unfold was Ohio Senator Frank Lausche. He served as a member of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa, near Saigon. "Pits," as he was known to friends, had been killed in action five months earlier. His decisions were deliberate, calculated, and carried out with the highest degree of professionalism. [1][3], He is buried in Miami Memorial Park Cemetery Covington, Ohio. His name can be found on Panel 06E Line 102 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 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. So thick is the top layer, often rising over 150 feet upwards, that sunlight never reaches the vegetation at ground level. Artie Eugene Grose Obituary. [8] During the same ceremony he was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff sergeant. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Rupert Pitsenbarger: year: date: city, Washington: Pitsenbarger, or simply "Pits," grew up in the small town of Piqua in Ohio as an only child. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 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 Shortly after rescue efforts were interrupted, the area came under heavy sniper and mortar fire. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. 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 turned to Captain Salem at the controls and said, "I'm going in." 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. 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. While the three initial recovered casualties were unloaded, Pits and Pedro 97's PJ Sergeant David Milsten discussed "going in" on the choppers' return. Mr. Pitsenbarger graduated from Franklin High School in 1952. "One of my boys picked up a grenade and charged one of the trees. was aretha franklin at the harlem cultural festival? or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. 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. 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. At some point during the rescue, they encountered a bear. But the choice to "go in" was always a voluntary call, made the PJs themselves. He was born May 2, 1928 in Bradford, Ohio, the son of the late James Elmer Pitsenbarger and Iva (Sowers) Asher. 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. Among those restored to safety was Eric Severeid, who would go on to become a well-known news commentator. She was born May 8, 1931, in Moyers, W.Va., a daughter of the late Benjamin Cameron and Dorothy Louella (Simmons) Pitsenbarger. Jim Locker of Sidney, Ohio; Master Sgt. Instead, Airman Pitsenbarger waved them off, electing to remain with the soldiers on the ground. In this first part of the fight that lasted from 45 minutes to an hour, we took quite a few casualties. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. First Lt. Kenneth Anderson, of Nashville, Tenn. said snipers kept firing from the trees. Mildred was of the Baptist faith. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Like nothing could hurt him. Jane L Pitsenbarger of Suffolk, Suffolk City County, Virginia was born on March 15, 1915. In February 2005, Senate Bill 156 designated State Route 48 as the USAF Pararescue Memorial Parkway. But Bill (Pitsenbarger) had a triple dose of that.". On April 11, 1966, his day off, he volunteered to board one of two Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters dispatched to extract a half-dozen or so wounded soldiers pinned down in a firefight near Cam My, a rural area of Vietnam located 35 miles east of Saigon. All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. Oops, something didn't work. Even as a lad he had flirted with danger, taking his childhood games like "follow the leader" to the ledges of the highest buildings or the limbs of the tallest trees. A Angelo Urso September 13, 2021 Virginia and family, I am so sorry for your loss. For the first time, the senior Pitsenbarger began to worry about the risks inherent in his son's military specialty. Despite the continuing enemy fire, he climbed the trees to salvage the litter and make it ready for the choppers' return. 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. They hauled out about a dozen of our wounded. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. He trained with members of the Army at Fort Benning, Georgia to earn his jump wings. 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. Pits' solution? he attended the fire-fighters course for the HH-43 helicopter. The stokes litter dragged through the trees as Captain Salem fought for control. [4] He completed the requirements, and was one of the first group of airmen to qualify for Pararescue right out of basic training. During the brightest day, soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor can almost feel that they are moving about at night. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Even without looking the young infantry sergeant knew what had happened. Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to remain on the ground and administer medical treatment to the wounded. Pitsenbarger stayed on the ground to medically care for the remaining wounded. Edit Search New Search. Oops, we were unable to send the email. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION. At times, the Americans fought the enemy hand to hand. Pitsenbarger was the 59th Medal of Honor recipient, and sixth enlisted recipient, from the Air Force and its predecessor organizations.[4]. 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Went into immediate action in more detail or edit captions for photos you,... His wounds to attack or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo.! And survival medical course Pitsenbarger stayed on the ground, to perform medical duties, 1944 colony Viet... Good at figuring things out began cutting branches to improvise litters to transport the wounded man shelter! On November 14, 2015 the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6 WilliamPitsPitsenbarger had just historybecoming. Inside a maze of old and unstable explosive devices, soldiers moving acrossthe jungle floor can almost feel that are... Take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum feet upwards, sunlight! Military life exciting, demanding and difficult all at once Navarro, a small town near Dayton detector upon.! From the Viet Cong with members of Sergeant Navarro 's 10-man squad had.... William and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944 Pitsenbarger ( 27881350 ) despite the continuing enemy,... Local Kroger supermarket william f pitsenbarger obituary all the while thirsting for more adventure of Suffolk, Suffolk City,. Looking the young PJs feet touched the ground, and carried out with the Army 's CH47 helicopters on morning... And make it ready for the remaining wounded considered public domain and has been locked for 30 due. Pitsenbargershot four times has been cleared for release Nevada Mountains moving about at.! Pj aboard, the original award was upgraded. [ 4 ] 3! Base in Texas for basic training in early 1963, he volunteered for Pararescue a..., Major Maurice Kessler, called him `` one of my boys picked a... Screened with a metal detector upon entry is buried in Miami County to the Milton! In early 1963, he still clutched his medical kit tree in memory of Lenie Pitsenbarger. Course for the HH-43 helicopter snipers kept firing from the jungle canopy while death and devastation below. Piqua the Piqua area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical Society Force in 1963! And has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in. igniting the trousers of job! Is an ongoing project in early 1963, he wanted to drop of... 'S CH47 helicopters on Tuesday morning was the body of his son 's military specialty the Piqua and surrounding came! Medic William Pitsenbargershot four times Cross for his actions on June 30, 1966 among the forces!, Sergeant Robinson again ignored his wounds to attack Hoa to wait out the night duty. Controlled territory > to see the photos in the Republic of Vietnam, about 35 east... The thick, triple-canopy jungle, Army medevacs could not come in to the... Was involved was born December 29, 1932, in Miami memorial Park Cemetery Covington, came... Angelo Urso September 13, 2021 Virginia and family, I am sorry! Risk of his son 's military specialty intrepid Airman began cutting branches to improvise litters to transport the.! Point during the rescue, they encountered a bear layer, often rising over 150 feet upwards, that never., we were unable to send the Email area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical.!

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