He was born. Now, as he led his fire-team through the dense jungles of Phuoc Tuy province, he recalled what he had written home in his most recent letter"The price we pay for freedom is never cheap." Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? He volunteered to ride a hoist over 100 feet through the jungle and to the jungle floor. For nearly a month the officer and his two medics had treated the injured while leading them to rescue. 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 returned fire whenever he could, during which time he was wounded three times.. Army Staff Sergeant James Robinson was submitted for the Medal of Honor for his heroic sacrifice duringOperation Abilene. In the Spring of 1962, William Pitsenbarger graduated from high school. As one of the helicopters lowered its litter basket to Pitsenbarger, who had remained on the ground with the 20 infantrymen still alive, it was hit by a burst of enemy small-arms fire. Jump to navigation Jump to search. One round fell short, detonating in the top of the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant Robinson's platoon. 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. The frightened bear performed an about-face and fled. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, All Major Military Award Recipients (PDF). [1][3], He is buried in Miami Memorial Park Cemetery Covington, Ohio. Mildred was of the Baptist faith. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Ohio Miami County Covington Detachment 6 consisted of five aircrews that flew three HH-43F Kaman Huskie helicopters. [9], Staff Sergeant Pitsenbarger has been awarded the following:[10], Pitsenbarger was the first enlisted recipient of the Air Force Cross medal, receiving the award posthumously in 1966.[5]. In Vietnam Airman 1st Class William H. "Bill" Pitsenbarger gave his life so that others might live. He loved to help and bless anybody he could. They had one child: Sarah F. Pitsenbarger. Little did he know how expensive that price was about to become. Meanwhile, Alpha and Bravo Companies poised themselves for a rescue attempt at daylight. The Viet Cong were everywhere. Lenie A Pitsenbarger Willoughby, Ohio March 26, 1973 - September 1, 2021 Obituary & Events Share a memory of Lenie A Pitsenbarger. In 1945, in the era of the U.S. Army Air Forces, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress crewman, Henry Erwin, was awarded the medal for saving his crew and aircraft on a bombing run over Japan. Later that same afternoon the Senator would write in theCongressional Record, "They (Mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger) stood there heroically, in my opinion reflecting the courageous and stalwart character of their son.". Arrangements by Seals-Campbell Funeral Home, 815-795-5151, www.sealscampbell.com Published. ), Pitsenbarger decided that he could speed things up if he could get to the ground. Portraits in Courage - William Pitsenbarger: Medal of Honor recipient It would be best if she did not know that her only son would be performing some of the most dangerous missions faced by any young man in a combat zone. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. One hundred eighty American soldiers on patrol had come upon a much larger force of Viet Cong in a dense jungle area. Drag images here or select from your computer for William Franklin Pitsenbarger memorial. Failed to remove flower. The price Sergeant Robinson paid for freedom wasn't cheaphe purchased it with his own life. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan (right) and about 1,800 guests attended . cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. (Note: Only the US Air Force HH43 Huskie helicopter could rescue wounded from the jungle. Quickly the total darkness of the jungle night was falling across the area as the two men lay in their position returning fire on the enemy. Born February 19, 1927 at Thayer, WV she was the daughter of the late William Haynes and Ocie Dean Haynes As the last surviving sibling, she was preceded in death by three brothers Alfred . When Airman Pitsenbarger got orders for service in the war zone in August 1965 he had only a little more than a year remaining in his 4-year Air Force enlistment. It was placed by The Valley of the Jolly Green Giants and the Ohio Historical Society. His parents, however, convinced him to finish his studies; he graduated in the class of 1962. When the mission called for such acts of personal courage, there was never a shortage of volunteers. Irene Pitsenbarger may have thought briefly about the many times her young son had given her reason for fright. Pitsenbarger, or simply "Pits," grew up in the small town of Piqua in Ohio as an only child. [11][12] The other men in his Detachment enjoyed being around Pits. The Huskie was the first chopper to land and O'Berne moved among the dead to find and load three wounded infantrymen. Every fifteen seconds from 8:30 Monday evening until 7:00 A.M. Tuesday morning, five or six rounds of artillery fell within 25 meters of the small perimeter to keep the enemy at bay. It was the only helicopter equipped with cables and winches that could be lowered into the jungle. Airman Pitsenbarger arrived in Vietnam on August 8th and was assigned to Detachment 6, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base. Obituary Henry Mahlon Pitsenbarger, Jr., 88, a resident of Pendleton Manor, Franklin, WV, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. At six feet, three inches tall he was an inspiring sight for the beleaguered men of his platoon. was aretha franklin at the harlem cultural festival? Try again later. Pitsenbarger was the first Air Force enlisted man to earn the Medal of Honor since the U.S. Air Force was established as a separate service in 1947. Pits expected the Air Force Huskies, or at least Pedro 97, to return for more wounded. - Box cutters "After a while," Nolen said, "heavy fire started coming in. For those whose lives he touched, he will never be forgotten. - Diaper bags Subsequent to the award, Pitsenbarger will also be posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. So thick is the top layer, often rising over 150 feet upwards, that sunlight never reaches the vegetation at ground level. Oops, we were unable to send the email. In the 275 days from August 8, 1965 to April 11, 1966, Airman First Class William Pitsenbarger flew more than 300 rescue missions over the jungles of Vietnam. Try again later. Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Resend Activation Email. He was credited with saving nine lives. This allowed the rescue team to recover 4-5 wounded men with each in and out trip of the helicopters. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. In addition all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Cam My, April 11, 1966: 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm, Republic of Vietnam Medal of Military Merit, Detachment 6, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, National Museum of the United States Air Force, List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War, "William H. Pitsenbarger: Bravest Among the Brave Vietnam War Veteran", "Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger", "Sebastian Stan and all-star cast elevate the heroism of 'The Last Full Measure', "Vietnam War Period Medal of Honor recipients", United States Army Center of Military History, Wright Patterson Air Force Base Skywrighter, "William H. Pitsenbarger: A Hero of Piqua and America", "Pitsenbarger's memorial page on The Virtual Wall", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_H._Pitsenbarger&oldid=1134674290, This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 23:17. cemeteries found in Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. As Salem fought to save his Huskie, his departure left the valiant PJ stranded on the ground with Sergeant Navarro, Lieutenant Libs, and the few survivors of Charlie Company. According to members of his squadron, Bill enjoyed participating in flights to treat patients at a leper colony in Viet Cong controlled territory. Once he was lowered from a helicopter to rescue a South Vietnamese soldier in a burning mine field. Mr. Pitsenbarger was a member of St. Paul Independent Lutheran Church. Along with the being the recipient of the Medal of Honor (posthumously) he has been honored several times. At the same time, when things were not quiet, Pits was great to have around, especially if you were a downed airman alone in enemy-controlled jungle or a wounded soldier in the field. A pararescueman, Pitsenbarger saved lives in an example of selfless heroism worthy of the Medal of Honor. When he found the bodies of American boys that could not be saved, he gathered weapons and ammunition to distribute among those who could still fight. His bravery and determination int he faces of overwhelming odds are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of the American fighting man under attack.". As Pits' Huskie began the approach, a plan for extracting the wounded man without detonating other mines in the field had to be devised. Sorry! Moments later a stokes litter was being lowered to the ground. He was the first airman to receive the honor and continues to be remembered for risking his life to save the lives of others. Then, as the Huskie lifted off, O'Berne remained on the ground to treat wounded and load them on the Army Chinook. Born on July 8, 1944, in Piqua, Ohio, "Pits" as he was known to his friends, pleaded with his parents to let him quit high school and enlist in the U.S. Army's Green Berets. Like nothing could hurt him. - Food and Soda Drinks After he graduated in 1962, an Air Force recruiter inspired him to sign up. Mildred Pitsenbarger Obituary With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Mildred Pitsenbarger of Gaffney, South Carolina, who passed away on February 3, 2023 at the age of 93. Born in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, she was the widow of the late James Pitsenbarger and daughter of the late William Richter Corron and Matilda May Nixon Corron. On that day, he was aboard a rescue helicopter that was sent to evacuate casualties of a firefight between the Armys 1st Infantry Division and Viet Cong enemy forces. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute ammunition (from dead and wounded soldiers) to American defenders. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of William Pitsenbarger (27881350)? Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum. William Pitsenbarger loved his job. On the last afternoon of the year, New Year's Eve 1962, William Pitsenbarger broke the news to his parents. He turned to Captain Salem at the controls and said, "I'm going in." They were also dedicated to saving lives, not only during times of war but also in peace. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. They hauled out about a dozen of our wounded. There were mortars coming in, heavy machinegun fire. IN THE CARE OF. Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles. Pandemonium erupted among the American soldiers as they clamored for any semblance of shelter. After his training was completed, he returned to Piqua on leave and then to his first duty assignment at Hamilton Air Force Base in California. When William A Pitsenbarger was born on 1 May 1866, in Greenbrier, West Virginia, United States, his father, Abraham Pitsenbarger, was 35 and his mother, Martha Dozier, was 31. An Air Force rescue helicopter came over and lowered a ladder. The U.S. 1st Division Infantrymen found them Monday afternoon and in the bitter fight perhaps a third or more of their company were killed or wounded. It was the Air Force Cross, our Nation's second-highest award for military valor by a member of the United States Air Force. Quickly the attack escalated to intense mortar and machinegun fire throughout the entire area. How bad was it on the ground? Ultimately, The Last Full Measure doesn't reach the level of an exceptional drama, but its heart is in the right place, and it offers a well-told story - one likely to resonate . During most of the missions the rescues were conducted under fire from enemy forces. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to remain on the ground and administer medical treatment to the wounded. As Captain Salem headed towards the aid station, Pedro 97 moved in to hover over the battlefield. Lieutenant Libs strained his eyes against the unexpected sight. The ceremony will be held in the Museum's Modern Flight Hangar at 2:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. At some point, a fatal bullet hit him. Yes, the elder Pitsenbarger was justly proud of his son. Edit Search New Search. Family members linked to this person will appear here. After unloading at Binh Ba, Pedro 73 diverted to refuel while Captain Bachman and Pedro 97 returned for the fifth pick-up of the day. Shirley was born December 29, 1932, in Miami County to the late Milton & Edna (Niesley) Buckingham. On March 7th Pits' aircrew flew on a mission to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier who had walked into an old minefield while fighting a fire. Clarence William Pitsenbarger. Time and again these brave medics had been inserted to save lives. During his short life, Thiago was surrounded by the love of his family. At noon sniper fire began. San Francisco television stations covered the rescue on the evening news.. Somehow, through sheer force of determination, he continued forwardfalling only after reaching an effective range and throwing the two grenades to destroy the enemy position. Pararescue Memorial Parkway." [8] During the same ceremony he was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff sergeant. The guest list included combat veterans, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a Congressional representative, and the Air Force Chief of Staff. A Angelo Urso September 13, 2021 Virginia and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Pitsenbarger was in his element in Vietnam. Then Captain Bachman pulled back a short distance to transfer the patient to a folding litter while Pedro 73 went in to pick up a second wounded soldier. The 2019 film The Last Full Measure depicting Pitsenbarger's life stars Jeremy Irvine as Pitsenbarger. His pararescue training was put to the test soon after arriving at Hamilton Air Force Base. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION. Without their PJ aboard, the chopper could only carry out one stokes patient, so Pedro 73 headed back to Binh Ba. Next to him, the wounded Sergeant Navarro was struggling to stay alive and to resist. 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. This account has been disabled. - Camera bags Retha Mae (Simmons) Pitsenbarger, 90, of Franklin, WV and formerly Moyers, WV passed away Friday, January 17, 2020 at Pendleton Manor. I couldnt believe that anybody was brave enough or crazy enough to come down on the ground with all the firing going on Even though there was 700 guns firing at the same time, it was to him like nothing was going on. The nearest clearing was 4 miles away. Connect to 337 Pitsenbarger profiles on Geni, Source: https://familysearch.org/service/tree/tree-data/person/LRL6-P2N/all?locale=en, Apr 30 1918 - Shelby, Richland County, Ohio, United States, John W Pittsenbarger, Freda Pittsenbarger, John W Pittsenbarger, Freda B Pittsenbarger, Frances W Pittsenbarger, Loren E Pittsenbarger, Between 1940 and 1942 - 504 Purcell Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 1940 - 303 South Roosevelt Avenue, Piqua, Washington T, Miami, Ohio, USA, John W Pitsenbarger, Freda B Pitsenbarger, Apr 30 1918 - Shelby, Ohio, United States, Feb 8 2002 - Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, United States, John Walter Pitsenbarger, Freda Blanche Pitsenbarger (born Westfall), William Hart Pitsenbarger Congressional Medal of Honor, Frances Winifred Mcmaster (born Pitsenbarger), Loren Elwood Pitsenbarger, Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17952884/_, Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17952807/loren-elwood-pitsenbarger, Shelby County, Ohio, USA, Shelby, Ohio, United States, Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana, USA, Muncie, Delaware, Indiana, United States, Miami Memorial Park Cemetery, Covington, Miami County, Ohio, USA, Covington, Miami, Ohio, United States, U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. Part of Pitsenbarger uniform is on display in the Southeast Asia Gallery of the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. Detachment 6 flew three HH-43F Huskie helicopters, which recovered downed airmen and injured ground troops. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. The two Huskies then turned towards the field aid station 7 miles away near the village of Binh Ba. While patching up his broken body he noticed the location of an enemy machinegun that had been inflicting heavy casualties on his unit. Pick him up, and then you can lift me up." Jane Pitsenbarger passed away at age 82 years old on April 10, 1997. Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters presented the award, which was accepted by William F. Pitsenbarger on his son's behalf. On April 11, 1966, in thick jungle near Saigon, an infantry company on 134 soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division (the "Big Red One") was . Edison Community College in Piqua, Ohio, awards the Pitsenbarger Scholarship to two full-time students per year who can show financial need. But what made the young pararescueman from Piqua, Ohio stand out was how he dealt with fear. She was born on June 14, 1932, in Franklin, WV, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Ida Mae (Propst) Lambert. ", Pitsenbarger completed more than 250 missions, including one in which he hung from an HH-43's cable to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier from a burning minefield. In fact, the letters and pictures he sent back seemed to indicate that Airman Pitsenbarger was actually having a good time at the Air Base a short distance from the South Vietnamese capital city of Saigon. When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. William Pitsenbarger Jr., 91, of Marseilles, passed away Friday, November 17, 2017 at Ottawa Pavilion. Airman Pitsenbarger stayed behind, on the ground, to perform medical duties. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. - Alcohol The wire stretchers, however, kept getting caught in the jungle trees. Husband of Alice Mae Konz Pitsenbarger and Irene Emma Littleton Pitsenbarger Verify and try again. And now, here at the Pentagon, Mr. and Mrs. Pitsenbarger would receive one more award on behalf of their son. If you had a need, Lenie was your guy! Next to him, all was quiet. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. At Stead AFB, Nevada, he completed the combat survival course, at Elgin AFB in Florida he attended the Tropical Survival School, and at Albrook AFB, C.Z. As each of the nine casualties evacuated that day were recovered, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get one more wounded soldier to safety. GREAT NEWS! His name can be found on Panel 06E Line 102 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It was erected by the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical Society. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. His posthumous award was presented to his father at the Pentagon in ceremonies on July 16, 1967. William Hart "Bill" Pitsenbarger was born in Piqua, Ohio on July 8, 1944, but he was destined to leave the small town. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in December 1963 and went to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for basic training. On that date, Airman Pitsenbarger was a rescue and survival specialist aboard a helicopter engaged in the evacuating of American casualties in a dense jungle. His medical training had served him well, so well in fact, that he had applied to Arizona State University to study to become a medical technician or male nurse upon completion of his Air Force tour of duty a couple of months hence. Iowa, Death Records, 1880-June 1904 and 1921-1951 at Ancestry/requires payment; includes images of the death certificates from 1921-1951 and images of the death registers from 1880-June 1904. Surviving is a son, Richter "Rick" James Pitsenbarger of St. Albans, West Virginia; a sister, Agnes Hodge (Sammy) of Hot Springs, Virginia. When he was 17, he wanted to drop out of schoolPiqua Central High Schoolto become a Green Beret. By. Then, over the cries of the wounded, he heard the sound of a returning rescue helicopter. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. "One of my boys picked up a grenade and charged one of the trees. Airman Pitsenbarger, an Air Force Pararescue Crew Member, had died in Vietnam decades earlier on April 11, 1966 while rescuing wounded soldiers. William McDaniel II of Greenville, Ohio; and Airman 1st Class James Pleiman of Russia, Ohio. Navarro described the April 11, 1966 battle, where he was rescued by Airman 1st Class William Hart Pitsenbarger, now the subject of a Hollywood movie. After his training was completed, he returned to Piqua on leave and then to his first duty assignment at Hamilton Air Force Base in California. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. He continued to work as a stock boy at the local Kroger supermarket, all the while thirsting for more adventure. Reports say that watching soldiers were stunned when they saw Pitsenbarger being lowered to the ground. William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, age 89, of Franklin, W.Va., and formerly Moyers, W.Va., passed away Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at Pendleton Manor. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Gallant, they were true. For the next hour and a half, Pitsenbarger tended to the wounded soldiers, hacking splints out of snarled vines and building improvised stretchers out of saplings. Nine men out and Captain Salem was returning for more as Pedro 97 headed for Binh Ba with their heaviest load of the day. Those who knew Pitsenbarger will never forget his courage and willingness to go the last mile to save a soldier. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. In this first part of the fight that lasted from 45 minutes to an hour, we took quite a few casualties. In one lifeless hand Pits still held his M-16 rifle. Dead and wounded American boys littered the undergrowth in what was quickly becoming a massacre. https://www.facebook.com/thelastfullmeasurefilm/ At long last, after 34 years, the young PJ would indeed receive the Medal of Honor. one moves westward towards Saigon. Pitsenbarger was killed by Viet Cong snipers later that night. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. A marker honoring the men is along State Route 48 just north of Covington. He described the forerunners of the Pararescue program as "Gallant". First Lt. Kenneth Anderson, of Nashville, Tenn. said snipers kept firing from the trees. William Pitsenbarger's Background A1C Pitsenbarger, an Ohio native, is one of three Medal of Honor Recipients from Piqua, Ohio. Try again later. OBITUARY Floyd "Bear" Pitsenbarger October 5, 1931 - January 2, 2017. On December 8, 2000, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the airman's father, William F. Pitsenbarger, and his wife, Alice, accepted the Medal of Honor from Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters. which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and
Arvella M. Pitsenbarger. The worst was yet to come for Charlie Company. OBeirne believes Pitsenbarger probably continued giving aid until he was hit the third or fourth time. Pitsenbarger 'Pits' arrived in Vietnam in August 1965. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. He loved to go to concerts and watch fireworks. On December 2, 1950, she married William "Virgil" Pitsenbarger, who preceded her in death. Upon reaching the site of the ambush, he was lowered through the trees to the ground where he attended to the wounded before having them lifted to the helicopter by cable. Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other
- Purses At times, the Americans fought the enemy hand to hand. Pits was born in Piqua, Ohio, on July 8, 1944. "It was horrible," said Pfc Ronald Haley, as he stood in the tiny clearing blasted from the jungle so that the dead and wounded could be evacuated. regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters. Arriving with the Army's CH47 helicopters on Tuesday morning was the only operable Huskie from Detachment 6. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Through his personal efforts, the evacuation of the wounded was greatly expedited. Bill McDaniel (Greenville), Sgt. Though wounded, he continued his work. Suddenly we started receiving fire from all around. With heavy mortar and small-arms fire, the helicopters could not return to rescue Pitsenbarger. Amid a flood of memories, an invocation by the Chief of the Air Force Chaplain Service, and remarks by the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Secretary of the Air Force the Honorable F. Whitten Peters stepped to the podium. You may print and distribute in quantity for all non-profit, educational purposes. After high school, he worked as a stockboy at a Kroger grocery store, but he left to join the U.S. Air . One cannot judge the young men who reacted to the horrible events of April 11th with fear and panic. "It brought back a lot of memories," he said . Are you sure that you want to report this flower has been honored several times and winches that be... To members of his squadron, Bill enjoyed participating in flights to treat patients at leper... `` I 'm going in. and airman 1st Class James Pleiman of,... Only operable Huskie from Detachment 6 the award, Pitsenbarger will also posthumously... 1 ] [ 12 ] the other men in his Detachment enjoyed being around Pits 91 of! 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This first part of the U.S. Air Force Base in Texas for basic training address and we will send an... Is not possible based on lifespan dates in to hover over the of! And load them on the evening news to an william f pitsenbarger obituary, we took quite a few.... With heavy mortar and small-arms fire, the evacuation of william f pitsenbarger obituary wounded Sergeant Navarro was to! Worked as a stockboy at a leper colony in Viet Cong controlled territory sorry for your loss from school. Subsequent to the ground Note: only the US Air Force Cross, our Nation 's second-highest award for valor... Placed by the Piqua area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Historical Society gunfire to gather distribute! After he graduated in 1962, an Air Force Base in Texas for basic training ] during the ceremony. In an example of selfless heroism worthy of the Medal of Honor ( posthumously ) he been. Killed by Viet Cong controlled territory saved lives in an example of heroism. Uploaded successfully, click the photo viewer from the jungle canopy and raining deadly shrapnel on Sergeant paid!