WILLIAM H PITSENBARGER
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HONORED ON PANEL 6E, LINE 102 OF THE WALL

WILLIAM HART PITSENBARGER

WALL NAME

WILLIAM H PITSENBARGER

PANEL / LINE

6E/102

DATE OF BIRTH

07/08/1944

CASUALTY PROVINCE

PROV UNKNOWN, MR III

DATE OF CASUALTY

04/11/1966

HOME OF RECORD

PIQUA

COUNTY OF RECORD

Miami County

STATE

OH

BRANCH OF SERVICE

AIR FORCE

RANK

A1C

Book a table
Contact Details

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR WILLIAM HART PITSENBARGER
POSTED ON 8.15.2020
POSTED BY: William White

Brought me to tears

My name is William as well and I watched the movie about the Medal of Honor he finally was awarded. I have seen the wall in D. C. once and would like to come back with my son and see his name on the wall. I was born a little later than him and missed the war. If I had been in the war I could of only wished he was there to help me as he did for so many. To any family members of his or friends I have nothing but respect for what he accomplished and his life makes me want to live a better life myself. Thank you William.
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POSTED ON 4.28.2020
POSTED BY: John

Bravery at the highest level

Such an inspirational story, well deserving of the MOH.
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POSTED ON 4.7.2020
POSTED BY: Clifford Gudito

Pits - So May Others Will Live

Just finished watching this beautiful touching movie. The Last Measure base on this brave soldier. Thank you for your gallantry, braveness and extreme sacrifice. SALUTE
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POSTED ON 2.13.2020
POSTED BY: Linda Matranga

"The Last Full Measure"

The movie "The Last Full Measure" honors William Pitsenbarger and I believe is not only a well done movie but an important movie. My husband was in a Tank Platoon in Vietnam from 1969-70. Any honor that can be given to these men who served has been earned and is so deserving. I am so grateful to have seen this movie about this man's life and service to his country. ( Linda Matranga, wife of a Marine "Daniel Matranga" who served his country in the Vietnam War. )
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POSTED ON 10.5.2018
POSTED BY: A Grateful Vietnam Veteran

Medal of Honor Citation

William H. Pitsenbarger

Medal of Honor
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Air Force
Battalion: 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
Division: DaNang Air Base, Vietnam
GENERAL ORDERS:

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger (AFSN: 15680744), United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Airman First Class Pitsenbarger distinguished himself by extreme valor on 11 April 1966 near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam, while assigned as a Pararescue Crew Member, Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. 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. With complete disregard for personal safety, Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to ride a hoist more than one hundred feet through the jungle, to the ground. 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. Through his personal efforts, the evacuation of the wounded was greatly expedited. As each of the nine casualties evacuated that day were recovered, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get one more wounded soldier to safety. After several pick-ups, one of the two rescue helicopters involved in the evacuation was struck by heavy enemy ground fire and was forced to leave the scene for an emergency landing. Airman Pitsenbarger stayed behind, on the ground, to perform medical duties. Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. During a subsequent attempt to evacuate the site, American forces came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong force. When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders. 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. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. In the vicious fighting which followed, the American forces suffered 80 percent casualties as their perimeter was breached, and airman Pitsenbarger was finally fatally wounded. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. 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.
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