There are no volunteers for this cemetery. (U.S. Air Force photo), A1C William Pitsenbarger in scuba gear. Weve updated the security on the site. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. 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. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Memorial contributions may be made to the Piqua Education Foundation, P.O. I know he made the conscious decision to stay there.Salem said that Pitsenbarger had volunteered to go to the ground because the soldiers were having trouble putting a wounded man into the wire basket to be lifted out. Piqua, OH 45356937-773-6753 [voice] Angelo C. Caserta and Rev. - F. David Peters, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division His father, Frank Pitsenbarger, was presented with his son's posthumous Medal of Honor. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Boniface Church Maintenance Fund, 310 S. Downing St., Piqua, OH 45356 or Fr. With heavy mortar and small-arms fire, the helicopters couldn't return to rescue Pitsenbarger. 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. The helicopter pilot recalled telling Pitsenbarger that he could leave the chopper only if he agreed that, when given a signal, he would return to the aircraft. Order Online. She was born January 13, 1931 in Piqua to the late Melvin R. and Evada (Bryant) Coburn. This browser does not support getting your location. The issue arose again in the early 1990s, when Piqua, Ohio, named a sports complex in Pitsenbarger's honor. Browse All 997,638 Images. The drill team of the AFJROTC unit at Martinsburg High School, Martinsburg WV is known as the Pitsenbarger Rifles. She will be remembered for her faith, love of family and concern for others and will be deeply missed by her loving family and many friends. This account has been disabled. Then, he joined the others with a rifle to hold off the Viet Cong. He is the bravest person Ive ever known, Salem said. We had a deep desire as a community to see something happen. He graduated from Piqua High School in 1962. After Air Force basic training, he volunteered for pararescue work and embarked on a rigorous training program, which included U.S. Army parachute school, survival school, a rescue and survival medical course, and the U.S. Navy's scuba diving school. Try again later. 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 surrounded by a Viet Cong battalion of approximately 500 troops. FREEAdmission & Parking, A1C William Pitsenbarger. Search Piqua obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. After graduating in 1962, Pitsenbarger joined the Air Force. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. The man called Pits by his friends was born and raised in Piqua, a blue-collar town of 22,000 on the Great Miami River in west-central Ohio, about 30 miles north of Dayton. Of the December Medal of Honor ceremony, Bob Ford said, It was a very sad thing, but a happy sad.. When the others began running low on ammunition, he gathered ammunition from the dead and distributed them to those still alive. 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. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger United States Air Force for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. But I never heard anything bad about him. After high school, he worked as a stockboy at a Kroger . When Bill was a junior in high school, he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret, but his parents refused to give their permission. Joyce E. Pitsenbarger, 63, of Piqua, passed away unexpectedly at 8:53 a.m. Monday, November 29, 2021 at her residence. Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. Arriving in Vietnam in August 1965, Pitsenbarger completed more than 250 missions, including one in which he hung from an HH-43s cable to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier from a burning minefield. The besieged troops were members of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division and were under attack by VC about 35 miles east of Saigon. Gravesite is in Ten Commandments Section just behind the large book monument. 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. frank pitsenbarger obituary piqua, ohio. Survivors include two sons, R. Frank Pitsenbarger, Mark (Terri) Pitsenbarger all of Troy; two daughters, Cheryl (Mike) Swearingin of Troy, Diane (Larry) Scott of Bellbrook; twelve grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren. (U.S. Air Force photo), A1C William Pitsenbarger preparing for a water jump. Piqua Education FoundationP.O. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. His parents were William and Irene Pitsenbarger of 626 Gordon Street. At one point, said Charles Epperson, of Paris, Mo., Pitsenbarger saw two wounded soldiers outside the perimeter. Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Award for 2012.[12]. When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. (U.S. Air Force photo). Geni requires JavaScript! Children. frank pitsenbarger obituary piqua, ohio After 34 years, Pitsenbarger's heroic actions had finally received full recognition. (U.S. Air Force photo), DAYTON, Ohio - William H. Pitsenbarger's personal effects sent to his parents following his death. And he didnt have to be there. 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 Pitsenbargers heroic actions. We call her Mom, Grandma Alice, Grandma Muncie, Aunt Alice, Neighbor Alice, Friend Alice, and many other. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. [citation needed] Although Pitsenbarger did not escape alive, 60 other men did, partially thanks to his courage and devotion to duty. After graduating in 1962, Pitsenbarger joined the Air Force. Pitsenbarger Sports Complex. Rather than escape with the last Huskie, Pitsenbarger chose to stay on the ground and aid the wounded. Prohibited Items: 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. Box 201, Piqua, OH 45356. Clarence William Pitsenbarger. There was an error deleting this problem. 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. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Please try again later. Alert and always ready to go on any mission. In addition several buildings have been named in his honor including William H. Pitsenbarger Dining Hall, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; William H. Pitsenbarger Professional Military Education Center, Beale Air Force Base, California; William H. Pitsenbarger Airman Leadership School, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; Pitsenbarger Hall, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas and Pitsenbarger Fitness Center, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. [1][2] He was initially posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.[3]. 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. In the early evening he was mortally wounded fighting alongside the remaining infantrymen. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. [5] His unit was composed of five aircrews that flew three Kaman HH-43F Huskie helicopters. Oops, we were unable to send the email. There was a problem getting your location. Fred Navarro, who was seriously wounded, said Pitsenbarger saved his life by covering him with the bodies of two dead GIs, shielding him from more bullets. We couldn't find the page you were looking for. More Air Force rescue training and jungle survival school followed. His final training was in air crash rescue and firefighting, with assignment to the HH-43 Huskie helicopter. She worked for a short time as the preschool teacher at the Piqua Church of the Nazarene and was the former principal for the Nicholas School. 1421 South St Piqua OH 45356. ]]> The Tree of Life created for our logo is indicative of our focus on hope and the expectations of a new season that follows the challenging times of our lives. His training included U.S. Army parachute school, survival school, a rescue and survival medical course, and the U.S. Navy's scuba diving school. Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum. Plot 43-D, Grave #2, Ten Commandments Section, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21023/william-hart-pitsenbarger. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Treon, Robert Treon and Ralph Treon. 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