Ms. Pitsenbarger was a 1976 graduate of Piqua Central High School and a 1983 graduate of Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri where she was active with a singing Ambassadors group called The Son Seekers. William Hart Pitsenbarger (July 8, 1944 April 11, 1966) was a United States Air Force Pararescueman who flew on almost 300 rescue missions during the Vietnam War to aid downed soldiers and pilots. His commander, Major Maurice Kessler, called him "One of a special breed. 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. frank pitsenbarger obituary piqua, ohio. I was proud the community helped accomplish this, she added. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. The city of Piqua, Ohio, renamed a recreational park (which includes the municipal swimming pool) the "Pitsenbarger Sports Complex." 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. (937) 778-2085. In Vietnam Airman 1st Class William H. "Bill" Pitsenbarger gave his life so that others might live. The tallest trees rose 150 feet, and a second layer stood at about 100 feet,with a third layer below. We couldn't find the page you were looking for. In his work, and especially on his final mission, Airman 1st Class Pitsenbarger embodied the pararescuemans motto: That Others May Live.. Published: January 29, 2020 Total records: 3,808. It was only after the ceremony that details of his courage were made public. Johnny W. Libs, a seasoned jungle fighter who was leading Company C that day, said hed never seen a soldier who deserved the Medal of Honor more than Pitsenbarger. Frank Pitsenbarger. Please try again later. She married Herbert Herb Pitsenbarger August 6, 1955 in Piqua; he preceded her in death October 23, 1991. Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. The Pitsenbarger Sports Complex at Piqua, Ohio, the Pitsenbarger Dining Hall at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Pitsenbarger dormitory at Dover Air Force Base are named in his honor. After graduating in 1962, Pitsenbarger joined the Air Force. Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient. Through his personal efforts, the evacuation of the wounded was greatly expedited. In the early 1990s, the classmates started a campaign to convince the Pentagon he deserved the medal. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Hayes collected statements from the Army veterans in 1998 and 1999, and a medal nomination package was sent to the Pentagon. He said, Weve got to go get those people, and I said, No way. But in his short life and valorous Air Force career, he was an example of dedication, compassion and tenacity for all those with whom he served. During his basic training in early 1963, he volunteered for Pararescue. Notice:Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media. Born in 1944 in Piqua, Ohio, William H. Pitsenbarger was an ambitious only child. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Born: July 8, 1944, Piqua, Ohio Citation: Airman First Class Pitsenbarger distinguished himself by extreme valor on April 11, 1966 near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam, while assigned as a Pararescue Crew Member, Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. On three different occasions I glimpsed movement, and it was Pits dragging somebody behind a tree trunk or a fallen tree, trying to give them first aid, he recalled. (937) 778-2085. A1C William H. Pitsenbarger was in the alert trailer when the call came in. December 17, 2021 By . Piqua, OH 45356937-773-6753 [voice] SEARCH. Weapons, Combat Search and Rescue in Southeast Asia. It just seemed like he was everywhere. NEWS & ADVICE. F. David Peters, of Alliance, Ohio, had been in Vietnam only two weeks at the time of the incident. We call her Mom, Grandma Alice, Grandma Muncie, Aunt Alice, Neighbor Alice, Friend Alice, and many other. Arriving in Vietnam in August 1965, 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. One of the great untold stories of the Vietnam era.". Bob Ford, a retired Piqua assistant fire chief who knew him most of his life, said Pitsenbarger had two other loves: baseball and playing soldier. But in his short life and valorous Air Force career, he was an example of dedication, compassion and tenacity for all those with whom he served. BERNADINE C. PITSENBARGER Bernadine C. Pitsenbarger, 87, formerly of Piqua, died peacefully at 5:00 pm Thursday October 6, 2011 at the home of her daughter in Troy surrounded by family. Open9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. A1C Pitsenbarger learned his military skills in a series of demanding schools. The film opens in theaters nationwide Thursday, Jan. 23. Community Impact Editor Amelia Robinson is an award-winning columnist, features writer and podcast host. Veterans Memorial Park Piqua, Miami County, Ohio GPS: 40.164293, -84.255619. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Tuesday October 11, 2011 at St. Boniface Catholic Church con-celebrated by Rev. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. He served in the United States Air Force during the war in Vietnam as an Airman First Clas in Detachment 6 of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. Her greatest joys in life were her faith and watching and enjoying her children and grandchildren. William Hart "Bill" Pitsenbarger was born in Piqua, Ohio on July 8, 1944, but he was destined to leave the small town. More Air Force rescue training and jungle survival school followed. He wanted to quit high school to join the U.S. Army Special Forces' "Green Berets," but his parents convinced him to stay in school. William H. Pitsenbarger was only 21 years old when he was killed in action. Kiser retired from his trucking business in 1976 due to poor health, having suffered several' heart attacks previously. William Pitsenbarger is remembered by his high school classmates as a warm and outgoing man, and by his Air Force comrades as someone always willing to get in the thick of the action where he could be the most help.. Were a really tight class, said Buecker, noting that they held a reunion every five years and always put up a memory board carrying obituaries of classmates, along with news clippings and letters from living classmates who could not attend the reunion. 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. Non acconsentire o ritirare il consenso pu influire negativamente su alcune caratteristiche e funzioni. As we were [getting in position], I said, Pits, its hotter than hell down there; do you still want to go down? He said, Yes sir, I know I can really help out. He made a hell of a difference. Clarence William Pitsenbarger. [1][3], A1C William Pitsenbarger with an M16 outside the HH-43. On April 11, 1966, the Joint Rescue Center dispatched two Huskies from Detachment 6 to extract a half-dozen or more Army casualties pinned down in a battle near Cam My, 35 miles (56 km) east of Saigon. Read more about the life story of JOYCE and share your memory. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. >> RELATED:Life-size statue honors Airman Pitsenbarger. OBITUARIES. Mrs. Pitsenbarger attended St. Mary Catholic School and worked as a retail associate. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. FUNERAL HOMES. She was a dedicated member of the Piqua Christian Church where she was the church organist, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and served on many other committees. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons. - Diaper bags Oops, we were unable to send the email.