Pitsenbarger receives Medal of Honor posthumously
by Tech. Sgt. John Dendy IV
Air Force Print News
12/08/00 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio
-- Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger was
posthumously awarded the nation's highest honor during a
presentation ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Museum here
Dec. 8.
Pitsenbarger, a pararescueman killed in action during
the Vietnam War, becomes the service's second enlisted
Medal of Honor recipient since the Air Force became a
separate service in 1947.
The airman's father, William F. Pitsenbarger, and his
wife, Alice, accepted the award from Secretary of the Air
Force Whit Peters. The audience included battle survivors,
hundreds of pararescue airmen, a congressional
representative and the Air Force chief of staff.
Pitsenbarger was awarded the Medal of Honor for
treating and protecting scores of wounded infantrymen --
while under intense enemy fire and being mortally wounded
himself -- in a rain forest stronghold near the Vietnamese
capital of Saigon in 1966.
His actions during the mission were initially
recognized with a posthumous award of the Air Force Cross.
That award is the military's second-highest for service
members, and the highest award the Air Force can bestow.
Upon further review in the 1990s, a number of private
citizens and federal officials successfully advocated that
the Medal of Honor would more accurately characterize
Pitsenbarger's heroism.
The medal is presented to its recipient on behalf of
the president of the United States and in the name of
Congress.
"After this mission is complete, the light of Bill
Pitsenbarger's valor will remain, reminding us of him and
the sacrifices so many have made, that others may
live," Peters said.
The Medal of Honor is awarded to individuals who, while
serving in the U.S. armed services, distinguish themselves
by conspicuous gallantry and courage at the risk of life,
above and beyond the call of duty.
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