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

Airman First Class Pitsenbarger

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 14, 2025

1. Airman First Class Pitsenbarger Marker

Inscription.
The Medal of Honor was posthumously Awarded to Airman First Class Pitsenbarger At the NMUSAF in December 2000

Citation:

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 ongoing 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 if the nine casualties evacuated that day were recovered, Pitsenbarger

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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

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 14, 2025

2. Airman First Class Pitsenbarger Marker

percent casualties as their perimeter was breached, and Airman Pitsenbarger was 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.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant day of the year for for this entry is May 31.

Location. 40° 9.852′ N, 84° 15.333′ W. Memorial is in Piqua, Ohio, in Miami County. It is at the intersection of Broadway (Ohio Route 66) and Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Broadway. The memorial is in Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1796 Broadway, 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

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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 walking distance of this marker: William H. Pitsenbarger (a few steps from this marker); Honor Log (a few steps from this marker); Piqua's Vietnam Home Front / William H. Pitsenbarger (a few steps from this marker); Piqua Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Tuskegee Airmen Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The History of Old Glory (a few steps from this marker); Operation Silent Witness (within shouting distance of this marker); Piqua (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piqua.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.