For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty during a Combat
Search and Rescue Mission during the Vietnam War.
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Citation to accompany the award of
the Medal of Honor to Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger
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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. |
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