Beavercreek Township in Riverside in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

"That Others May Live"

Photographed by Pete Skillman, June 28, 2025

1. "That Others May Live" Marker

Inscription.
Dedicated to Air and Maintenance Crews who Flew and Maintained the HH-43 and the Ones What Made the Supreme Sacrifice

"That Others May Live"

And Let Us Never Take Lightly the Freedom for Which They Died

Memorial Dedicated by
The Pedro Rescue Helicopter Association

HH-43 Records and Events

18 Oct. 1961 an HH-43B attained an altitude of 32,840ft., setting the world record for class E-1 helicopters.

In 1964, the HH-43 was the first USAF rescue helicopter deployed to southeast Asia.

In 1963-1966, the HH-43 supported U.S. mapping missions in New Guinea and Ethiopia. At the time it was the only helicopter capable of operation at high altitudes.

The HH-43 helicopter was manufactured by the Kaman Aircraft Corporation of Bloomfield, CT.

Detachments were deployed worldwide at U.S. air bases with call signs
"Firebird" - "Rescue 1" - "Pedro"

HH-43 helicopter air and ground crews maintained alert status to aid downed airmen - some in burning aircraft.

At the sound of an alarm, an HH-43 would be airborne within 2 minutes. When hooked with a fire suppression kit capable of producing 700 gallons of foam, it allowed fire fighters to

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safely remove the airmen from burning aircraft.

For downed airmen, the HH-43 alert crew would coordinate with headquarters or "King Bird" and depart on a set heading to make a pickup or recovery.

"That Others May Live"

HH-43 Lives Saved

1964 - 1972 in South East Asia more than 1880 persons were saved from certain death or capture.

Pararescueman William H. (Pitts) Pitsenbarger was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions on 11 April 1966. He was lowered 100 feet by hoist from an HH-43B rescue helicopter to rescue wounded U.S. Army soldiers. He voluntarily remained on the ground to treat and assist the troops and was subsequently killed when their position was overrun.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.

Location. 39° 46.704′ N, 84° 6.889′ W. Memorial is in Riverside, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is in Beavercreek Township. It can be reached from Spaatz Circle. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 38 Spaatz Cir, Dayton OH 45431, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Ohio’s Dayton Metro

and in the Miami Valley.

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 walking distance of this marker: Pioneers of Stealth (a few steps from this marker); Red Eagles

"That Others May Live" Marker - southwestern face image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, June 28, 2025

2. "That Others May Live" Marker - southwestern face

(a few steps from this marker); Aircraft Loadmaster Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to CMSgt Bill Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Troop Carrier Tactical Airlift (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Air Force Academy Class of 1959 (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Air Force Civil Engineers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Award of Air Force Cross to William H. Pitsenbarger, upgraded to MOH.

Also see . . .
1. William Hart Pitsenbarger - National Medal of Honor Museum.

Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 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
Photographed by Pete Skillman, June 28, 2025

3. "That Others May Live" Marker - southeastern face
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 sizeable 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 of the nine casualties evacuated that day was recovered, Airman Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get more wounded soldiers 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
Photographed by Pete Skillman, June 28, 2025

4. "That Others May Live" Marker - northeastern face
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 that followed, the American forces suffered 80 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.

(Submitted on June 30, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

2. Pedro Rescue Helicopter Association. (Submitted on June 30, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

"That Others May Live" Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, June 28, 2025

5. "That Others May Live" Marker - wide view

A1C William H. Pitsenbarger image. Click for full size.

USAF Photo - Public Domain

6. A1C William H. Pitsenbarger

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 30, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. 6. submitted on July 1, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.