Rededication ceremony recognizes fallen pararescueman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A fallen pararescueman was recognized for his heroic actions more than 42 years earlier during a Medal of Honor rededication ceremony April 18 at the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Monument Park here.

Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger, known as "Pits" to his friends, was the 59th member of the U.S. Army Air Corps and Air Force to receive the nation's highest decoration for remaining behind enemy lines to treat wounded soldiers during the Vietnam War.

The 21-year-old Airman, who was assigned to Detachment 6 of the 38th Aero Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, was killed during an operation to extract Army casualties pinned down in a battle near Cam My, a few miles east of Saigon April 11, 1966.

Airman Pitsenbarger was originally awarded the Air Force Cross for his valor, however, the medal was later upgraded to the Congressional Medal of Honor in a ceremony Dec. 8, 2000.

Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Negron, 38th Rescue Squadron operations superintendent, along with other members of the 38th RQS, became motivated to plan the ceremony after a PJ noticed the park's Medal of Honor plaque didn't include Airman Pitsenbarger's name.

"The rescue squadron wanted a chance to bring Pitsenbarger's sacrifice to everyone's attention again," said Sergeant Negron. "It was a great opportunity to recognize the highest decoration of valor people can get in the military, especially in the Air Force because only a few Airmen have earned it."

Of the 3,466 Medals of Honor awarded in this nation's history, only 59 Airmen have received the recognition. Airman Pitsenbarger's actions in the Vietnam jungles have become legendary in the pararescue community, said the sergeant.

During a rescue mission, in which Airman Pitsenbarger had already helped evacuate nine injured soldiers, one of the recovery helicopters was hit while trying to lower a litter basket. The helicopter began to lose power and needed to escape from hostile area. Instead of climbing back into the basket and being hoisted to safety, Airman Pitsenbarger elected to stay and continue his medical duties.

Airman Pitsenbarger continued to help his comrades hold off the advancing Viet Cong forces, returning fire while also providing his medical expertise to the wounded. He was killed by enemy fire and the next day, his body was discovered holding a rifle in one hand and clutching a medical kit in the other.

As part of the ceremony, Staff Sgt. Kyle Minshew, 38th RQS PJ, rappelled from an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter to illustrate the experiences of Airman Pitsenbarger.

Chosen to portray the legendary Airman due to his similar build, Sergeant Minshew added a realistic touch to the performance by wearing the same style of the Vietnam-era uniform and carrying the same type of medic bag and knife that Airman Pitsenbarger carried that day.

"While I was rappelling from the helicopter, it made me think about how it might have been for Pitsenbarger," Sergeant Minshew said. "I was a little nervous because for a moment, it felt realistic.

After Sergeant Minshew rappelled from the helicopter and reached the ground, he ran to join to his position in the PJ formation that was placed beside the memorial.

Among the honorary guests watching the ceremony were Lt. Col. (ret.) Harry O'Beirne and Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) Dave Milsten, who served with Airman Pitsenbarger's during many of the rescue missions in Vietnam.

"Back then, I was a staff sergeant and his non-commissioned officer in charge," said Chief Milsten. "Pits was 'gung-ho' and always ready for action."

Colonel O'Beirne, an airman 1st class at the time, was one of Airman Pitsenbarger's closest friends.

"I was devastated to discover that Pits was dead," Colonel O'Beirne said. "We both planned to attend medical school together after our enlistment was over."

Chief Milsten and Colonel O'Beirne remembered their colleague by helping unveil the new plaque with Airman Pitsenbarger's name. A wreath was also presented by representatives from the American Legion and Veterans of the Foreign Wars as "Taps" was played in remembrance of the fallen PJ.

Overall, the day's activities brought back the emotion of an Airman's valiant actions made in a foreign jungle almost half a century ago, said Sergeant Minshew.

"It was such an honor to portray a hero," he said. "He's one of the reasons why people respect the pararescue career field. His sacrifices made him an icon."