Military
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Sergeant William H. Pitsenbarger exemplified the highest professional standards and traditions of military service. In 1965, he was assigned as a pararescue crew member to Det 6, 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, and participated in almost 300 rescue missions. On April 11, 1966, then-Airman First Class Pitsenbarger took part in a mission to extract Army casualties pinned down by intense enemy fire. After arriving on the scene, he volunteered to be hoisted from the rescue helicopter to the ground to organize and coordinate rescue efforts for the wounded and evacuate casualties. During an enemy assault, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for the wounded. While resisting the attack, he was fatally wounded. For his conspicuous gallantry, Airman Pitsenbarger was awarded the Medal of Honor.
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Scott AFB, Illinois · United States
