Airman First Class William “Pits” Pitsenbarger was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously after he sacrificed himself to save numerous wounded soldiers. (Air Force)
Yes, I know late again. Seems this thing called “work” interfered with my schedule. But better late than never, especially for “Pits.”
Pararescue airman received Medal of Honor for saving soldiers, refusing to leave firefight
A call for a medevac went out on April 11, 1966, after soldiers from the Army’s 1st Infantry Division positioned near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam, began taking extreme casualties during a lengthy firefight.
Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger, a Pararescue crew member assigned to the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, was dispatched with a team to evacuate the wounded soldiers.
As the helo approached the combat zone, Pitsenbarger, sensing the urgency of the situation, volunteered to ride the rescue hoist from over 100 feet in the air to the jungle floor, where he immediately began rendering aid to the wounded and preparing casualties for evacuation.
Despite recovering nine casualties, ”Pits,” as his friends called him, repeatedly refused to leave the ground, insisting on trying to get even more wounded to safety.
Another helo eventually arrived on scene to take more wounded, but as it approached, the assault by the Viet Cong intensified, forcing the helicopter to evacuate. Instead of leaving with the helicopter, Pits waved the pilots off to tend to the beat-up Americans on the ground who were being battered by sniper and mortar fire.
On the ground with the other men, Pitsenbarger took up arms and fought back the Viet Cong for an hour and a half while repeatedly exposing himself to heavy enemy fire to make improvised splints and stretchers out of surrounding vegetation.
With ammunition running low, Pits ran to the positions of mortally wounded soldiers to collect ammunition and distribute it to those still in the fight. He was wounded three times in the process.
Ignoring his wounds, he continued to repel the attack and treat wounded soldiers up until the point the American perimeter was finally breached.
He was mortally wounded by a sniper when the line was overrun. In the end, the Americans on the ground suffered 80 percent casualties.
Pits was clutching a med kit in one hand and a rifle in the other when his body was recovered.
For ignoring his own safety and remaining behind to treat and evacuate as many wounded as possible, Pitsenbarger was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
The Piqua, Ohio, native was 21 years old when he was killed.
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.
No greater love…
Perhaps a bit late as well, but still deeply felt- Fair winds and following seas, Airman First Class Pitsenbarger.
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Words fail me.
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