William H. Pitsenbarger
| William H. Pitsenbarger | |
|---|---|
Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Pits" |
| Born |
July 8, 1944 Piqua, Ohio |
| Died | April 11, 1966 (aged 21) near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam |
| Buried at | Miami Memorial Park Cemetery, Covington, Ohio |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1962 – 1966 |
| Rank |
 Staff Sergeant (posthumous) |
| Unit | 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Air Force Cross Airman's Medal Purple Heart (2) Air Medal |
William Hart Pitsenbarger (July 8, 1944 – April 11, 1966) was a United States Air Force Pararescueman who gave his life aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault in Vietnam. He was initially posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. He was the first enlisted recipient of the Air Force Cross medal, receiving the award in 1966.
Flying on almost 300 rescue missions in Vietnam, Bill Pitsenbarger risked his life almost daily during the war rescuing downed soldiers and fliers. On April 11, 1966, the 21-year-old, known as "Pits" to his friends, was killed while defending some of his wounded comrades. For his bravery and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the nation's highest military decorations, the Medal of Honor and the Air Force Cross, becoming the first enlisted airman to receive the medals posthumously.
Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. When Bill was a junior in high school, he tried to enlist in the Army as a Green Beret, but his parents refused to give their permission. After he graduated from high school, he decided to join the Air Force, and on New Year's Eve 1962, he was on a train bound for basic training in San Antonio.
During his basic training in early 1963, Bill volunteered for Pararescue. He completed the very difficult qualifying requirements and was one of the first group of airmen to qualify for Pararescue right out of basic training. After completing the very trying and difficult pararescue training, Bill was assigned to the Rescue Squadron assigned to Hamilton AFB California. He was later sent on TDY (Temporary Duty) to Vietnam. Upon completing his first TDY assignment, he volunteered to return and received orders in 1965 to report to Detachment 6, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon. His unit was composed of five aircrews that flew three HH-43F Kaman Huskie helicopters, His commander, Maj. Maurice Kessler, called him "One of a special breed. Alert and always ready to go on any mission."
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