Piqua in Miami County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Pitsenbarger

He Gave His Life, That Others May Live

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019

1. William Pitsenbarger Marker

close up of plaque

Inscription. William Pitsenbarger was born in Piqua, Ohio, on July 8, 1944, the only child of Irene and Frank Pitensbarger. He graduated from Piqua Central High School in 1962. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force and became a pararescue and medical specialist. On April 11, 1966, at his own request, he was lowered by helicopter into the jungle of Vietnam to aid wounded soldiers. Although his life was in grave danger, he refused to evacuate and through his efforts was able to save the lives of nine of his fellow warriors. Later that same day he himself was fatally wounded and died on the battlefield. Of the 134 soldiers who began the battle, there were 106 casualties. He was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1966, and the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2000. There are at least one dozen facilities around the world named for him.

Airman 1st Class William H. Pitensbarger born July 8, 1944 died on April 11, 1966 in Vietnam while serving his country awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross

Erected 2015 by Friends of the Piqua Parks Piqua VFW Post 4874 American Legion Post 184.

Topics and series.

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This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.

Location. 40° 8.152′ N, 84° 15.585′ W. Memorial is in Piqua, Ohio, in Miami County. It is at the intersection of McKinley Avenue and Clark Avenue, on the right when traveling south on McKinley Avenue. Marker is in the Pitsenbarger Sports Complex. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 730 McKinley Ave, Piqua OH 45356, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Ohio’s Dayton Metro,

in the Miami Valley,

and in the Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hospital Care (approx. 0.7 miles away);

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019

2. William Pitsenbarger Marker

close up of inscription

The Piqua Nuclear Power Facility (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Piqua Nuclear Power Facility (approx. 1.2 miles away); Shawnee Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Public Square (approx. 1.3 miles away); Main Street (approx. 1.3 miles away); Piqua (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Shawnee Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piqua.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019

3. William Pitsenbarger Marker

full view of marker

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019

4. William Pitsenbarger Marker

marker as seen from a distance

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019

5. William Pitsenbarger Marker

the statue, by artist Mike Major

William Pitsenbarger Park sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019

6. William Pitsenbarger Park sign

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 879 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 3, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.