Notable people · Military · Medal Of Honor
William H. Pitsenbarger
A Piqua airman and Air Force pararescueman who flew about 300 rescue missions in Vietnam. On April 11, 1966, he stayed on the ground to treat wounded soldiers and was killed; he received the Medal of Honor in 2000.
At a glance
- Born
- 1944
- Died
- 1966-04-11
- Known as
- Military, Medal Of Honor
- Organizations
- US Air Force
Life story
William Hart Pitsenbarger of Piqua joined the Air Force on New Year's Eve 1962 and trained as a pararescueman. In Vietnam he flew about 300 rescue missions.
On April 11, 1966, during a battle near Cam My, he refused evacuation and stayed with trapped infantry for about 90 minutes, giving medical care, passing out ammunition and returning fire. He was wounded three times and killed by snipers; he is credited with saving about 60 men.
He first received the Air Force Cross. In a 34-year upgrade, the Medal of Honor was presented to his parents on December 8, 2000, and he was promoted to staff sergeant after his death. Ohio named State Route 48 the U.S.A.F. Pararescue Memorial Parkway, and Edison Community College in Piqua offers scholarships in his name.
Timeline
What William is known for
- Medal of Honor (awarded December 8, 2000)
- Credited with saving about 60 men on April 11, 1966
Honors and things named for them
- Medal of Honor
- Air Force Cross (1966)
- State Route 48 named U.S.A.F. Pararescue Memorial Parkway
- Edison Community College scholarships
Ohio places
Where William H. Pitsenbarger was born, lived, worked and is remembered, with the ZIP code, town and county pages for each.
- Born: Piqua, Miami County ZIP 45356 · Piqua · Miami County
- Lived: Piqua, Miami County ZIP 45356 · Piqua · Miami County
Further reading
Sources
Confidence. Medium: the main facts were confirmed, but some details (often an address or ZIP code) were not.
- Wikipedia: William H. Pitsenbarger Piqua; enlisted Dec 31 1962; 300 missions; April 11 1966 mission; Air Force Cross; Medal of Honor 2000; Ohio memorials