THE WALL OF FACES

John Pitzen was the ultimate gentleman & loyal serving officer in the US Navy.
I was 20 when we met very briefly in HK on an R & R from his duties during the Vietnam war. In these photos, John is at the beach in his very smart suit after we had gone shopping for his family. We had met with a group at an officers cocktail party and a group of us went to dinner and we just had the following day for shopping. I found these lovely photos of him in an old photo album & my daughter helped me post them in the hope that members of John’s family might see this and know that I as a 20 year old in 1965 briefly met this kindest of men & most respectful of men.

I never knew he had lost his life many years later, and I now, at this late stage, want to salute such an excellent, delightful, loyal and kind person who gave a young English girl ten years his junior, the chance of meeting, even briefly, such an exceptional individual. RIP dear John.

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

Captain John Russell Pitzen was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight. He served as
a Pilot and was assigned to VF-114, CVW-11, USS KITTY HAWK, TF 77, 7TH FLEET.
See https://navy.togetherweserved.com/

Dear Cap. John Pitzen, Thank you for your service as an Unrestricted Line Officer - Pilot on the USS KITTY HAWK. Glad you were identified in 1996 - Welcome Home. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Memorial Day is next week when the nation remembers all our lost. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

My dad is from Staceyville and was in Vietnam. I was always intrigued by his stories. The one that I was most interested in was Capt Pitzen. He was a true hero. Thank you so much for your sacrifice and service.