Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Sergeant William H. Pitsenbarger
(1944 - 1966)
— Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Inductee - 2012 —
Photographed By Thomas Smith, October 5, 2021
1. Sergeant William H. Pitsenbarger Marker
Inscription.
Sergeant William H. Pitsenbarger. Sergeant William Pitsenbarger exemplified the highest professional standard and traditions of military service. In 1965, he was assigned as a para rescue crew member to DET 6, 38th Air Rescue and recovery squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam. He participated in almost 300 rescue missions. On April 11, 1966, then airman first class Pitsenbarger took part in a rescue mission to extract Army casualties pinned down by intense enemy fire arriving on scene, he volunteered to be hoisted down from the rescue helicopter to the ground in order to organize and coordinate rescue efforts for the wounded , and evacuate casualties. During an enemy assault , he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fir to care for the wounded. While resisting the enemy attack, he was fatally wounded, for his conspicuous gallantry , Airman Pitsenbarger was awarded The Medal of Honor. Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Inductee 2012
Sergeant William Pitsenbarger exemplified the highest professional standard and traditions of military service. In 1965, he was assigned as a para rescue crew member to DET 6, 38th Air Rescue and recovery squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam. He participated in almost 300 rescue missions. On April 11, 1966, then airman first class Pitsenbarger took part in a rescue mission to extract Army casualties pinned down by intense enemy fire arriving on scene, he volunteered to be hoisted down from the rescue helicopter to the ground in order to organize and coordinate rescue efforts for the wounded , and evacuate casualties. During an enemy assault , he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fir to care for the wounded. While resisting the enemy attack, he was fatally wounded, for his conspicuous gallantry , Airman Pitsenbarger was awarded The Medal of Honor. Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Inductee 2012
Erected 2012 by Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 11, 1966.
Location. 38° 32.386′ N, 89° 51.825′ W. Marker is in Scott Air Force
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Base, Illinois, in St. Clair County. Memorial is on Main Street just east of Symington Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Heritage Dr, Scott Air Force Base IL 62225, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Photographed By Thomas Smith, October 5, 2021
2. Sergeant William H. Pitsenbarger Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
