The 1962 class of Piqua Central High School had also felt it was a shame that his hometown had never honored him. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. (937) 778-2085. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. His citation reads "Airman First Class Pitsenbarger distinguished himself by extreme valor while assigned as a Pararescue Crew Member, Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. They talked to aides of their congressmen and wrote letters, but did not get very far until 1996. Biography Pitsenbarger was born in 1944 and grew up in Piqua, Ohio, a small town near Dayton. The Bueckers said they did not know the process or what was needed in Washington, or even if it was possible for someone to receive the Medal of Honor after so many years. Levitow himself campaigned for Pitsenbargers medal and contended that the deceased airman should be considered the first Air Force enlisted recipient in Vietnam. She was born January 13, 1931 in Piqua to the late Melvin R. and Evada (Bryant) Coburn. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. His parents were William and Irene Pitsenbarger of 626 Gordon Street. Explore life stories, offer tributes/condolences, send flowers or create a lasting online memorial for loved ones. For coordinating the successful rescues, caring for the wounded and sacrificing his lifewhile aggressively defending his comrades, William H. Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Cross on June 30, 1966. For his father, friends, classmates and the town of Piqua, the ceremonies helped bring what seemed to be a fitting end to an almost forgotten episode of the Vietnam War. When its engine began to lose power, the pilot realized he had to get the helicopter away from the area as soon as possible. I thought you might like to see a memorial for SSGT William Hart Pitsenbarger I found on Findagrave.com. The Huskies were to take turns hoisting litters with critically wounded patients through the forest canopy and delivering them to a nearby airfield. Recommend BERNADINE's obituary to your friends. MIRIAM Y. PITSENBARGER Miriam Y. Pitsenbarger, 89, of Piqua, joined her Lord and Savior at 7:02 a.m. Friday, October 23, 2020 at Brookdale Senior Living of Troy. In 1996, Chivalette went to Piqua to gather material to write a monograph on Pitsenbarger. Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient. Survivors include three daughters, Joyce Pitsenbarger of Piqua, Nancy (Randy) Nash of Richmond, Indiana, Ann (Roger) Toon of Piqua; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and a brother, Melvin Coburn of Kentucky. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through. 5) Anthony Sowell Raymond Wambsgans/Flickr to the family or plant a tree An Army general recommended that the award be downgraded to the Air Force Cross, apparently because at the time there was not enough documentation of Pitsenbarger's actions. Piqua, OH 45356937-773-6753 [voice] Pitsenbarger was shot four times, once between the eyes, and died on the spot. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Treon, Robert Treon and Ralph Treon. One other Air Force enlisted man received the medal for heroism in Vietnam. Search Piqua obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. (U.S. Air Force photo), DAYTON, Ohio - Part of Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger's uniform on display in the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono strettamente necessari al fine legittimo di consentire l'uso di un servizio specifico esplicitamente richiesto dall'abbonato o dall'utente, o al solo scopo di effettuare la trasmissione di una comunicazione su una rete di comunicazione elettronica. Theres no doubt he saved lives that day.. 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. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Creato da Local Web . During a subsequent attempt to evacuate the site, American forces came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong force. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons. [1][2] He was initially posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.[3]. Toward that end, W. Parker Hayes, Jr., a historian with the Air Force Sergeants Association, had tracked down the Army veterans who had served with Pitsenbarger. We call her Mom, Grandma Alice, Grandma Muncie, Aunt Alice, Neighbor Alice, Friend Alice, and many other. In the early 1990s, the classmates started a campaign to convince the Pentagon he deserved the medal. He descendeda hundred feet into the firefight with a medical bag, a supply of splints, a rifle and a pistol. 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. When the others began running low on ammunition, he gathered ammunition from the dead and distributed them to those still alive. The next day one of Pitsenbargers best friends, Henry J. OBeirne of Huntsville, Ala., a former Air Force pararescueman who had served with him and been his bunkmate, recovered his body. 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. Only U.S. Air Force HH-43 Huskie helicopters with cables and winches could hoist the injured from the jungle. Try again later. But he wasnt big-headed about it.