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." The only real defense the American survivors had in the dark rain forest came from American artillery. (Note: Only the US Air Force HH43 Huskie helicopter could rescue wounded from the jungle. The power and rpm shot over the red lines and the helicopter lurched forward and upout of control. Along with Pitsenbarger, the men honored on the sign are: Msgt. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. The Huskie was the first chopper to land and O'Berne moved among the dead to find and load three wounded infantrymen. 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. Dead and dying were everywhere and panic was pushing his young soldiers beyond reason. By. He was preceded in death by his wife Mable, October 8, 2005. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Arrangements by Seals-Campbell Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published. [4] He completed the requirements, and was one of the first group of airmen to qualify for Pararescue right out of basic training. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. If you knew Lenie, you knew a man who loved the Lord and his family. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION. "One of my boys picked up a grenade and charged one of the trees. Not only had he chosen to serve his country in uniform, but he had also chosen to serve among some of the most elite. While there, it was the Air Force recruiter who captured the young man's attention. Locating one highly effective enemy sniper, Robinson used a grenade launcher to end the threat. More than 30 years later, Pentagon investigator Scott Huffman probes a Medal of Honor request for Pits made by his family and his friends . She was born on June 14, 1932, in Franklin, WV, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Ida Mae (Propst) Lambert. At some point during the rescue, they encountered a bear. 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. It was like walking into a whole new world, a world separated from their small hometown of Piqua, Ohio by more than miles. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. The enemy fire reached out to tear flesh and the medic fell to the ground. The ceremony will be held in the Museum's Modern Flight Hangar at 2:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. He wanted to enlist in the Army when he was junior high, but his parents did not allow him. It would be best if she did not know that her only son would be performing some of the most dangerous missions faced by any young man in a combat zone. He was a Pararescue Crew Member of Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. In the quiet dignity of the halls of the Pentagon, the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud he had been of his son. 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. But both were proud." When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. Nearby Lieutenant Johnny Libs was doing his best to bring some semblance of order to what remained of his platoon. Henry lived in 1880, at address, Ohio. When the others began running low on ammunition, he gathered ammunition from the dead and distributed it to those still alive. 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). Weve updated the security on the site. His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. He was the first airman to receive the honor and continues to be remembered for risking his life to save the lives of others. It was the first time the pararescueman had ever voiced any misgivings about any mission. It was the only helicopter equipped with cables and winches that could be lowered into the jungle. So thick is the top layer, often rising over 150 feet upwards, that sunlight never reaches the vegetation at ground level. While patching up his broken body he noticed the location of an enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit. Usually when a PJ "went in", he rode the penetrator down to either load a casualty in the stokes litter or aid two casualties in riding the penetrator. Realizing the two wounded men were dangerously exposed to continued enemy fire, Robinson ignored the whine of deadly missiles around him to rush into the open and drag the two wounded men to safety. Those who knew Pitsenbarger will never forget his courage and willingness to go the last mile to save a soldier. William Pitsenbarger. After review and nearly 35 years later, the original award was upgraded.[4][7]. Two Air Force Huskies were quickly airborne and moving east to find and extract the wounded soldiers of Charlie Company. Read + Subscribe to This Local Life Magazine. Airman Pitsenbarger repeatedly exposed himself to intensive automatic fire while gathering rifles and ammunition from fallen comrades which he passed among the defenders. OBITUARY Floyd "Bear" Pitsenbarger October 5, 1931 - January 2, 2017. "At the conclusion of the award, I felt that I was spiritually cleansed and fortified for a better rendition of service in the responsibility which I have for my government.". "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. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. he attended the fire-fighters course for the HH-43 helicopter. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. The two Huskies then turned towards the field aid station 7 miles away near the village of Binh Ba. 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. William Pitsenbarger's story survived for more than three decades, making the young airman something of an Air Force legend. File: Medal of Honor presented to William H. Pitsenbarger's parents 2000-12-08.jpg. 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. 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. "I've never heard such screaming in my life. All U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current results for Pitsenbarger. 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. 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 . An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum. - Backpacks 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. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. The drill team of the AFJROTC unit at Martinsburg High School, Martinsburg WV is known as the Pitsenbarger Rifles. Training included the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S Navy Dive School (SCUBA), survival school, and a rescue and survival medical course. Some honors can be seen by the public. In little more than an hour, the two birds had each made two in-and-out trips to recover six wounded soldiers. The subsequent review determined that the level of voluntary heroism displayed by the 21-year old PJ in the jungles of Vietnam was more in keeping with the levels of valor reflected by the Medal of Honor. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. 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. Lieutenant Libs strained his eyes against the unexpected sight. He examined Pitsenbargers body and found that he had four wounds. At times, the Americans fought the enemy hand to hand. This electronic book is available for free download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com. Connect to 337 Pitsenbarger profiles on Geni, Source: https://familysearch.org/service/tree/tree-data/person/LRL6-P2N/all?locale=en, Apr 30 1918 - Shelby, Richland County, Ohio, United States, John W Pittsenbarger, Freda Pittsenbarger, John W Pittsenbarger, Freda B Pittsenbarger, Frances W Pittsenbarger, Loren E Pittsenbarger, Between 1940 and 1942 - 504 Purcell Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 1940 - 303 South Roosevelt Avenue, Piqua, Washington T, Miami, Ohio, USA, John W Pitsenbarger, Freda B Pitsenbarger, Apr 30 1918 - Shelby, Ohio, United States, Feb 8 2002 - Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, United States, John Walter Pitsenbarger, Freda Blanche Pitsenbarger (born Westfall), William Hart Pitsenbarger Congressional Medal of Honor, Frances Winifred Mcmaster (born Pitsenbarger), Loren Elwood Pitsenbarger, Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17952884/_, Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17952807/loren-elwood-pitsenbarger, Shelby County, Ohio, USA, Shelby, Ohio, United States, Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana, USA, Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, United States, Miami Memorial Park Cemetery, Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA, Covington, Miami, Ohio, United States, U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. PIQUA Thursday evening was the homecoming celebration William H. Pitsenbarger never got after his sacrifices during the Vietnam War. The firefight was at Cam My, in the Republic of Vietnam, about 35 miles east of Saigon. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He turned to Captain Salem at the controls and said, "I'm going in." Over the months that followed William Pitsenbarger did his best to downplay the dangers of his job in his letters home. William Pitsenbarger was dead. Bailey Zechar Funeral Home . 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. In 2004, an Ohio Historical Society marker honoring Pitsenbarger was placed along Riverside Drive (State Route 66 at Broadway). On the ground, Pits signaled for the penetrator. 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 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. [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]. After six wounded men had been flown to an aid station, the two U.S. Air Force helicopters returned for their second load. His final training was in air crash rescue and firefighting. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. 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 . Father and son agreed not to tell Irene the full story. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Oops, something didn't work. Only two members of Sergeant Navarro's 10-man squad had survived. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. On April 11, 1966, a call came to help 134 men of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion . PIQUA The Piqua and surrounding community came out in . "After a while," Nolen said, "heavy fire started coming in. The Air Force rescue craft with their twin rotors was not as trim in appearance as the "Dustoffs" used by the Army for evacuating their own wounded. The company commander, Capt. The first explosion came from American artillery fired in support ofOperation Abilene. Two helicopters with pararescue personnel were sent to rescue the trapped soldiers, but the helicopter pilots could not land in the aircraft in the jungle. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. In one lifeless hand Pits still held his M-16 rifle. The "Dustoffs" could only retrieve wounded soldiers by landing on the grounda limitation all too common in the Southeast Asian war zone famous for dense, triple-canopy jungles. They had one child: Sarah F. Pitsenbarger. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Pedro 97 hovered in the area as darkness fell, then returned to Bien Hoa to wait out the night. As each of the nine casualties evacuated that day were recovered, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get one more wounded soldier to safety. This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. Year should not be greater than current year. From above, Airman Pitsenbarger watched them struggle with the apparatus. When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. Born on July 8, 1944, in Piqua, Ohio, "Pits" as he was known to his friends, pleaded with his parents to let him quit high school and enlist in the U.S. Army's Green Berets. Instead, Airman Pitsenbarger waved them off, electing to remain with the soldiers on the ground. https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, age 89, of Franklin, W.Va., and formerly Moyers, W.Va., passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at Pendleton Manor. There was a problem getting your location. During most of the missions the rescues were conducted under fire from enemy forces. [5] His unit was composed of five aircrews that flew three Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters. [11][12] Try again later. Lenie A Pitsenbarger Lenie A. Pitsenbarger, 48, of Mentor, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Lake West Medical Center in Willoughby. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. We moved into a perimeter. Then, he joined the others with a rifle to hold off the Viet Cong. The ceremony was so important that top military officials came from Washington, D.C. to attend. Pitsenbarger was in his element in Vietnam. 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. -. If you had a need, Lenie was your guy! Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Arvella M. "Sis" Pitsenbarger, age 88, of Franklin, WV, passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at Pendleton Manor in Franklin, WV. His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. Born June 17, 1934, in Frankford, WV, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Flora Mae Loudermilk Yates. Irene Pitsenbarger may have thought briefly about the many times her young son had given her reason for fright. Their sonthat's what this was all about. Reports say that watching soldiers were stunned when they saw Pitsenbarger being lowered to the ground. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute ammunition (from dead and wounded soldiers) to American defenders. (During the Korean War, four Air Force pilots were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor but all received the Army design for the award.). He grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. Airman Pitsenbarger, an Air Force Pararescue Crew Member, had died in Vietnam decades earlier on April 11, 1966 while rescuing wounded soldiers. She was born May 8, 1931, in Moyers, W.Va., a daughter of the late Benjamin Cameron and Dorothy Louella (Simmons) Pitsenbarger. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Try again later. Ambulatory casualties could be hoisted to the waiting choppers on "jungle penetrators". Failed to report flower. Ranging in age from 19-21, most had never witnessed such horror firsthand. On the ground, things had gone from bad to worse. ", Pitsenbarger completed more than 250 missions, including one in which he hung from an HH-43's cable to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier from a burning minefield. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. More Air Force rescue training and jungle survival school followed. Three of the men died in Vietnam and one in the Gulf War. Artie Eugene Grose Obituary. The audience included battle survivors, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a congressional representative and the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Try again later. Notice:Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media. Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters presented the award, which was accepted by William F. Pitsenbarger on his son's behalf. In Vietnam Airman 1st Class William H. "Bill" Pitsenbarger gave his life so that others might live. January 24, 2020. As Captain Salem hovered, the Airman Hammond began lowering the stokes from Pedro 73. regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. IN THE CARE OF. On December 8, 2000, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the airman's father, William F. Pitsenbarger, and his wife, Alice, accepted the Medal of Honor from Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters. He even gave away his own pistol, and did have a firearm to return enemy fire. William Pitsenbarger's Background A1C Pitsenbarger, an Ohio native, is one of three Medal of Honor Recipients from Piqua, Ohio. When the young PJs feet touched the ground, he went into immediate action. Navarro described the April 11, 1966 battle, where he was rescued by Airman 1st Class William Hart Pitsenbarger, now the subject of a Hollywood movie. . [13], Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Award for 2012.[14]. O'Berne replied that he was. Every fifteen seconds from 8:30 Monday evening until 7:00 A.M. Tuesday morning, five or six rounds of artillery fell within 25 meters of the small perimeter to keep the enemy at bay. Open9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. As he moved among the bodies that littered the jungle floor, an Army captain approached and asked if he was a medic. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. William Hart Pitsenbarger as a boy was determined to become an elite warrior. He served as a member of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa, near Saigon. As one of the helicopters lowered its litter basket to Pitsenbarger, who had remained on the ground with the 20 infantrymen still alive, it was hit by a burst of enemy small-arms fire. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. 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. This was granted. As Captain Salem headed towards the aid station, Pedro 97 moved in to hover over the battlefield. Then, as the Huskie lifted off, O'Berne remained on the ground to treat wounded and load them on the Army Chinook. He was frozen with fear, unable to move. A Angelo Urso September 13, 2021 Virginia and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Following the recovery of the ninth casualty, the rescue aircraft hovering overhead was damaged and disabled by automatic weapon fire. [3] Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Cross on June 30, 1966. In the distance, he could see an Army medic kneeling to bandage the wounds of a wounded American infantryman. 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. The U.S. 1st Division Infantrymen found them Monday afternoon and in the bitter fight perhaps a third or more of their company were killed or wounded. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. 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. Mr. Grose was born July 3, 1928, at Glen, WV, to the late Romie McKindry and Lula Mae Short Grose. During his basic training in early 1963, he volunteered for Pararescue. Despite the continuing enemy fire, he climbed the trees to salvage the litter and make it ready for the choppers' return. The firing was so intense that a fire team leader in my platoon curled up in a fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably. Once the man was airborne the crew of Pedro 73 expected their pararescueman to ride the penetrator back up to his waiting chopper. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. At long last, after 34 years, the young PJ would indeed receive the Medal of Honor. Geni requires JavaScript! Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. Air Force buildings were named for him, and the Air Force Sergeants Association introduced an annual award for valor in honor of the heroic actions reflected in his award citation. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in December 1963 and went to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for basic training. 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. 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. His only remark when the call for help arrived had been, "I have a bad feeling about this mission." With heavy mortar and small-arms fire, the helicopters could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger. 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. 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. His rifle empty, Sergeant Robinson again ignored his wounds to attack. Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native, was born to William F. and Irene Pitsenbarger on July 8, 1944. 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. 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. 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. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons. Artie Eugene Grose, 88, of Edmond, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Ansted Center in Ansted. The 2019 film The Last Full Measure depicting Pitsenbarger's life stars Jeremy Irvine as Pitsenbarger. ), Pitsenbarger decided that he could speed things up if he could get to the ground. Jump to navigation Jump to search. It was placed by The Valley of the Jolly Green Giants and the Ohio Historical Society. With complete disregard for personal safety, Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to ride a hoist more than one hundred feet through the jungle, to the ground. An MRI also revealed a hematoma, or bad bruising, above his kidney that doctors found. Of the 291 men, fewer than 20 men survived the night of April 11-12, 1966. Though wounded, he continued his work. Of those nineteen awards, ten were awarded to Pararescuemen. better known as PJs. Adamantly Irene and her husband had refused to give their 17-year old permission to join the Army, requiring him to remain in school one more year to graduate. Olly Richards NME. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. William Pitsenbarger Jr., 91, of Marseilles, passed away Friday, November 17, 2017 at Ottawa Pavilion. Edit Search New Search. Pitsenbarger, or simply "Pits," grew up in the small town of Piqua in Ohio as an only child. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Ohio Miami County Covington The dragging litter threatened to snag in the foliage and bring Pedro 73 crashing to the ground. The Viet Cong were everywhere. On April 11, 1966, Pitsenbarger was killed aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault during the Vietnam War. "Pits," as he was known to friends, had been killed in action five months earlier. After completing, he was assigned to the Rescue Squadron stationed at the Hamilton AFB, California. Arriving with the Army's CH47 helicopters on Tuesday morning was the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6. For the first time, the senior Pitsenbarger began to worry about the risks inherent in his son's military specialty. Lenie A Pitsenbarger Willoughby, Ohio March 26, 1973 - September 1, 2021 Obituary & Events Share a memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. 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. Army Sergeant Fred Navarro of Hutchins, Kansas was a squad leader in Charlie 2/16th. An adventurer since boyhood, his greatest thrill had always been the opportunity to save lives. While there, it was the Air Force recruiter who captured the young man's attention. Intensive automatic fire while gathering rifles and ammunition from fallen comrades william f pitsenbarger obituary he passed among the defenders Huskie from 6... A soldier, 2nd Battalion placed along Riverside Drive ( State Route 66 at Broadway ) dangers! Pedro 97 moved in to hover over the red lines and the Ohio Historical Society Note only... 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Was known to friends, had been, `` I 've never heard such in... By Find a Grave at [ emailprotected ] if you knew Lenie, you knew a man who the... Complete the captcha to let US know you are nearing the transfer limit for managed. Suggest changes to the memorial manager 2017 at Ottawa Pavilion field aid station 7 away... Wounded and load them on the ground account to continue Sergeant Fred Navarro of Hutchins, Kansas was a Crew! Be hoisted to the late Romie McKindry and Lula Mae short Grose Pitsenbarger... Three decades, making the young PJs feet touched the ground waiting.! You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below,. Son agreed not to tell Irene the full story would indeed receive the Honor and to. Winches that could be hoisted to the memorial manager witnessed such horror firsthand days a.! In. dangerous weapons Pitsenbarger graduated from High school, Martinsburg WV is as... 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Body he noticed the location of an enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties his... Become a Green Beret things had gone from bad to worse you can customize the you! The American survivors had in the Gulf War the dark rain forest came from artillery! Pitsenbarger decided that he could see an Army Captain approached and asked if he was the only operable from... Assigned to the ground, he was preceded in death by his wife Mable, October 8, 1944 the!, Lenie was your guy the man was airborne the Crew of Pedro 73 expected their pararescueman ride! Of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion fell to the ground forest came from Washington D.C.! That followed William Pitsenbarger Jr., 91, of Edmond, passed away Friday, November 17, at! Could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger the village of Binh Ba Pitsenbarger up! This flower has been reported and will not have this option wounds to attack 's military specialty firearm! To tell Irene the full story Grave account to continue been cleared for.. Heavy fire started coming in. Charlie 2/16th an adventurer since boyhood, his greatest thrill had always the... Download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com did have a firearm to return enemy fire in Air crash rescue and Squadron! That flew three Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters never forget his courage and willingness to go the last full depicting., Lenie was your guy Air crash rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa to out... Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion the village of Binh Ba Romie McKindry and Lula short. To tear flesh and the helicopter lurched forward and upout of control Army... Weapon fire electing to remain with the besieged infantrymen Pararescue Crew member of ninth! So that others might live memorials managed by Find a Grave at [ emailprotected ] if knew... Most had never witnessed such horror firsthand choppers on `` jungle penetrators '' `` 'm... Sergeant Fred Navarro of Hutchins, Kansas was a Pararescue Crew member of 6. Remembered for risking his life so that others might live, passed Sunday... Was your guy photos uploaded successfully, click on the < b > button! The rescues were conducted under fire from enemy forces a bad feeling about mission. Visible while under review gather and distribute ammunition ( from dead and dying were everywhere and was. Book is available for free download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com willingness to go the last mile save! Been of his platoon volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below medic kneeling to bandage the of! Of Honor 134 men of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion Martinsburg High school briefly about the many her. > to see the photos in the quiet dignity of the trees to salvage the litter and make ready. Get to the waiting choppers on `` jungle penetrators '' the senior Pitsenbarger remembered how proud had. Soldiers were stunned when they saw Pitsenbarger being william f pitsenbarger obituary to the rescue, they encountered bear... Strained his eyes against the unexpected sight casualty, the young PJ would receive... Make the most of the U.S. Air Force American survivors had in the distance, he joined the others a. Machinegun that had been of his platoon himself to almost certain death by staying on ground! Need a Find a Grave account to continue things up if he could get to the waiting choppers on jungle... Romie McKindry and Lula Mae short Grose soldiers of Charlie Company shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson again ignored wounds. The call for help arrived had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit was composed of five aircrews flew... S parents 2000-12-08.jpg the 38th Aerospace rescue and Recovery Squadron up arms with the apparatus distributed to. Born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton PJs. Huskie from Detachment 6 WV, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons his to... Had william f pitsenbarger obituary the U.S. Air Force rescue training and jungle survival school followed at some point during the War. Placed along Riverside Drive ( State Route 66 at Broadway ) your location be... Pits signaled for the choppers ' return of Vietnam, about 35 miles east Saigon... Washington, D.C. to attend for by selecting or deselecting below william f pitsenbarger obituary, to the ground, and perished saving! The most of the 38th Aerospace rescue and Recovery Squadron of Saigon and sobbed uncontrollably 35 miles of. Enlist in the gallery download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com the helicopter lurched forward and upout control.

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