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News From The Past Air Force News  December 8, 2000

Pitsenbarger Receives Medal of Honor Posthumously

by Tech. Sgt. John Dendy, IV

 

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger was posthumously awarded the nation's highest honor during a presentation ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Museum here Dec. 8.

Pitsenbarger, a pararescueman killed in action during the Vietnam War, becomes the service's second enlisted Medal of Honor recipient since the Air Force became a separate service in 1947.

The airman's father, William F. Pitsenbarger, and his wife, Alice, accepted the award from Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters. The audience included battle survivors, hundreds of pararescue airmen, a congressional representative and the Air Force chief of staff.

Pitsenbarger was awarded the Medal of Honor for treating and protecting scores of wounded infantrymen -- while under intense enemy fire and being mortally wounded himself -- in a rain forest stronghold near the Vietnamese capital of Saigon in 1966.

His actions during the mission were initially recognized with a posthumous award of the Air Force Cross. That award is the military's second-highest for service members, and the highest award the Air Force can bestow.

Upon further review in the 1990s, a number of private citizens and federal officials successfully advocated that the Medal of Honor would more accurately characterize Pitsenbarger's heroism.

The medal is presented to its recipient on behalf of the president of the United States and in the name of Congress.

"After this mission is complete, the light of Bill Pitsenbarger's valor will remain, reminding us of him and the sacrifices so many have made, that others may live," Peters said.

The Medal of Honor is awarded to individuals who, while serving in the U.S. armed services, distinguish themselves by conspicuous gallantry and courage at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty.

 

 

 

William Pitsenbarger's parents receive his posthumous Medal of Honor from Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters.

 

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