Retha Mae (Simmons) Pitsenbarger, 90, of Franklin, WV and formerly Moyers, WV passed away Friday, January 17, 2020 at Pendleton Manor. Those who knew Pitsenbarger will never forget his courage and willingness to go the last mile to save a soldier. "One of my boys picked up a grenade and charged one of the trees. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. 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. Now, as he led his fire-team through the dense jungles of Phuoc Tuy province, he recalled what he had written home in his most recent letter"The price we pay for freedom is never cheap." The city of Piqua, Ohio, renamed a recreational park (which includes the municipal swimming pool) the "Pitsenbarger Sports Complex." Airman Pitsenbarger repeatedly exposed himself to intensive automatic fire while gathering rifles and ammunition from fallen comrades which he passed among the defenders. As Captain Salem headed towards the aid station, Pedro 97 moved in to hover over the battlefield. While there, it was the Air Force recruiter who captured the young man's attention. More than 30 years later, Pentagon investigator Scott Huffman probes a Medal of Honor request for Pits made by his family and his friends . Like nothing could hurt him. They found the hunters and began to cut a trail down the mountain. The only real defense the American survivors had in the dark rain forest came from American artillery. He had been in combat in both World War II and Korea.". Arriving with the Army's CH47 helicopters on Tuesday morning was the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6. Suddenly we started receiving fire from all around. 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. Thanks for your help! In the midst of sudden death and unrestrained terror, Sergeant Robinson began moving among the men to organize defensive fire and inspire confidence. The full force of the aggressors turned their firepower on the advancing American. He was born December 22, 1927 in Moyers,WV a son of the late Benjamin "Cam" Cameron and Dorothy Louella (Simmons) Pitsenbarger. He successfully completed the rescue and survival medical course. All Web: Obituary Daily Times Index, 1995-2016 results for Pitsenbarger. 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. For the next hour and a half, Pitsenbarger tended to the wounded soldiers, hacking splints out of snarled vines and building improvised stretchers out of saplings. William and Irene Pitsenbarger looked with reverence at the medal presented to them by General McConnell on behalf of their son. - Coolers Pitsenbargers last, and probably most gallant mission, was on April 11, 1966. Try again later. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. 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. [4] He completed the requirements, and was one of the first group of airmen to qualify for Pararescue right out of basic training. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. When Pitsenbarger reached the wounded soldiers, he organized their rescue and prepared for them to be transferred to get to the helicopters. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in December 1963 and went to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for basic training. Calming their uneasiness and fighting to overcome the emotions that struggled for release, the brave couple found themselves being introduced to the US Air Force Chief of Staff, General John P. McConnell. can i use a visa gift card for groceries; crush unfollowed me on instagram An Air Force rescue helicopter came over and lowered a ladder. Learn more about managing a memorial . 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. Henry lived in 1880, at address, Ohio. Pits' solution? "The mother was brave. 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. Little did he know how expensive that price was about to become. Meanwhile, Alpha and Bravo Companies poised themselves for a rescue attempt at daylight. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Joseph E. Pitsenbarger to show support. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. Days later in retrospect, he added, "We were in the fight of our lives, and I just couldn't understand why anybody would put himself in this grave danger if he didn't have to.". Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other Drag images here or select from your computer for William Franklin Pitsenbarger memorial. Of the 134 soldiers in Charlie Company at the beginning ofOperation Abilene, there were 106 casualties. He attended the Navy's underwater swimmers school. Quickly the pilot threw the switches to arm the cable cutter, releasing the litter and freeing his aircraft. 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. 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. Year should not be greater than current year. Time and again he has faced enemy fire, stared death in the face and calmly set himself to the tasks of a Pararescue medic. Rushing forward to rescue the wounded man, enemy rounds slammed into Robinson's shoulder and leg. 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. In his first eight months in Vietnam, he went on 250 rescue missions. The elder Pitsenbarger gratefully accepted the award on behalf of his only son. When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Statue dedication ceremony for A1C William H. Pitsenbarger statue at the Pitsenbarger Sports Complex in Piqua, Ohio on November 14, 2015. OBITUARY Shirley A Pitsenbarger December 29, 1932 - February 8, 2023. When its engine began to lose power, the pilot realized he had to get the helicopter away from the area as soon as possible. They had one child: Sarah F. Pitsenbarger. Henry Pitsenbarger, . 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. PJs were born out of the efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Don Fleckinger and two medical corpsmen who parachuted into remote jungles near the China-Burma border in August 1943 to rescue survivors from a disabled C-46. Four years after William Pitsenbarger's death, Airman First Class John Lee Levitow became the first and only enlisted airman to receive our Nation's highest military award. William F. Pitsenbarger will accept the Medal of Honor on his son's behalf. Without their PJ aboard, the chopper could only carry out one stokes patient, so Pedro 73 headed back to Binh Ba. 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. Along with the being the recipient of the Medal of Honor (posthumously) he has been honored several times. OBITUARY Floyd "Bear" Pitsenbarger October 5, 1931 - January 2, 2017. It was Spring 1966, during a rescue mission that Pitsenbarger was offered the chance to escape on the last helicopter out of a combat zone heavily under fire, but he chose to stay behind to save and defend the lives of his fellow soldiers before making the ultimate sacrifice in the bloodiest battle of the war. "All of us PJs had a strong desire to save lives," said Chief Master Sergeant Dave Milsten, the ranking Pararescueman in Detachment 6, "that's what we lived for. one moves westward towards Saigon. He had enlisted in the Air Force and would soon be boarding a train for San Antonio to begin his training. He was born May 2, 1928 in Bradford, Ohio, the son of the late James Elmer Pitsenbarger and Iva (Sowers) Asher. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. He also became qualified as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver. Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017, Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. 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. There was a problem getting your location. Pitsenbarger received orders to go to Okinawa, but requested his orders be changed to go to Vietnam. Normally the unit consisted of 291 men but, going intoOperation Abilene, company strength was down to 134 soldiers. Airman 1st Class Pitsenbarger, a Piqua native and graduate of Piqua schools, was a pararescue and medical specialist who died April 11, 1966, in Vietnam. This time, working in tandem with Sergeant Milsten on Pedro 97, Pitsenbarger was able to load one litter case and two more wounded on the penetrator. This includes Pitsenbarger; Sgt. His final training was in air crash rescue and firefighting. They tried to leave the area, but they were attacked by the large Viet Cong force. He turned to Captain Salem at the controls and said, "I'm going in." Then, as the Huskie lifted off, O'Berne remained on the ground to treat wounded and load them on the Army Chinook. At some point during the rescue, they encountered a bear. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. The worst was yet to come for Charlie Company. The PJ on board was one of the Pits' closest friends, Harry O'Berne. 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. After arriving on the scene, OBeirne learned of Pitsenbargers death. Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum. The first explosion came from American artillery fired in support ofOperation Abilene. At least nine rounds hit the aircraft, one of them tearing through the wiring and causing the throttle control to jam at full throttle. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. 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. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. He loved to go to concerts and watch fireworks. 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. Virginia, to William Pitsenbarger and Mary "Polly" Pitsenbarger (born Amick). William Pitsenbarger loved his job. 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. Olly Richards NME. ), Pitsenbarger decided that he could speed things up if he could get to the ground. (Note: Only the US Air Force HH43 Huskie helicopter could rescue wounded from the jungle. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. They were also dedicated to saving lives, not only during times of war but also in peace. "Lower me down on the penetrator (a rudimentary seatlowered by cable from a hovering helicopter) and I'll straddle the guy. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. As Salem fought to save his Huskie, his departure left the valiant PJ stranded on the ground with Sergeant Navarro, Lieutenant Libs, and the few survivors of Charlie Company. On March 7th Pits' aircrew flew on a mission to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier who had walked into an old minefield while fighting a fire. [5] His unit was composed of five aircrews that flew three Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters. While the three initial recovered casualties were unloaded, Pits and Pedro 97's PJ Sergeant David Milsten discussed "going in" on the choppers' return. The company, part of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Regiment was moving through the jungles northeast of Binh Gia on a routine-patrol. His medical training had served him well, so well in fact, that he had applied to Arizona State University to study to become a medical technician or male nurse upon completion of his Air Force tour of duty a couple of months hence. Born in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, she was the widow of the late James Pitsenbarger and daughter of the late William Richter Corron and Matilda May Nixon Corron. During his short life, Thiago was surrounded by the love of his family. Pedro 97 hovered in the area as darkness fell, then returned to Bien Hoa to wait out the night. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. His bravery and determination exemplify the highest professional standards and traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force. She was born on June 14, 1932, in Franklin, WV, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Ida Mae (Propst) Lambert. The father shed tears. When his body was recovered the next day, one hand still held a rifle and the other clutched a medical kit. After he graduated in 1962, an Air Force recruiter inspired him to sign up. https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, In the other, he still clutched his medical kit. The nearest clearing was 4 miles away. Even without looking the young infantry sergeant knew what had happened. Civilian authorities have also honored his name. Bailey Zechar Funeral Home . On the ground, Pits signaled for the penetrator. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Arnold M Pitsenbarger: Abt 1930: William Pitsenbarger's story survived for more than three decades, making the young airman something of an Air Force legend. The government of South Vietnam awarded him Vietnam's Medal of Military Merit and the Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm. "I Couldn't Believe That Anybody Was Brave Enough, Or Crazy Enough". 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. If you had a need, Lenie was your guy! 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. It was the first time the pararescueman had ever voiced any misgivings about any mission. The Air Force Sergeants Association annually confers a "Pitsenbarger Award," which recognizes an Air Force enlisted member for heroic acts on or off duty that . In one lifeless hand Pits still held his M-16 rifle. The helicopter was forced to abandon recovery efforts to make an emergency landing at a nearby airstrip. Upon reaching the site of the ambush, he was lowered through the trees to the ground where he attended to the wounded before having them lifted to the helicopter by cable. Here the jungle grows in layers, oftentriple-canopy(3-layers) of heavy vegetation. By. It was placed by The Valley of the Jolly Green Giants and the Ohio Historical Society. His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. He was born on May 18, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems - Eau Claire, the son of Ronald Pitsenbarger, Jr. and Ann (Moyer) Nelson. His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. Haley, of Ukiah, Calif., was dirty and unkept after his unit had been in the jungles 30 miles east of Saigon for two weeks searching for the Viet Cong. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. He described the forerunners of the Pararescue program as "Gallant". Husband of Alice Mae Konz Pitsenbarger and Irene Emma Littleton Pitsenbarger He was a Pararescue Crew Member of Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. He also became qualified as a U.S. Navy Scuba Diver. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Dead and wounded American boys littered the undergrowth in what was quickly becoming a massacre. 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. Parts of Georgia grand jury report on Trump post-election conduct released; John Fetterman checks himself into Walter Reed for clinical depression 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. 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. Mildred was of the Baptist faith. 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. Weapons, https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations. For his actions, he was given the Airmans Medal by the United States; South Vietnam gave him the Vietnam Medal of Military Merit and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm. The Viet Cong were everywhere. All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. Wrote Senator Lausche in hisCongressional Recordaccount of that day. was aretha franklin at the harlem cultural festival? You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Arrangements by Seals-Campbell Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published. 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. [1][2] He was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.[3]. An adventurer since boyhood, his greatest thrill had always been the opportunity to save lives. PIQUA Thursday evening was the homecoming celebration William H. Pitsenbarger never got after his sacrifices during the Vietnam War. 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. Because of the thick, triple-canopy jungle, Army medevacs could not come in to retrieve the woundedthere was simply no place to land. Coverage may vary by county. This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. On April 11, 1966, in thick jungle near Saigon, an infantry company on 134 soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division (the "Big Red One") was . He was leaving that very night. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. He was one of the few calm visions of hope that moved among the damned. On April 11, 1966, Pitsenbarger was killed aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault during the Vietnam War. Shirley A. Pitsenbarger age 90, of Versailles passed away at 9:16 pm Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at her residence. [citation needed] Although Pitsenbarger did not escape alive, 60 other men did. 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william f pitsenbarger obituary
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