William Hart Pitsenbarger

Staff Sergeant William H. Pitsenbarger was a United States Air Force Pararescueman who flew on nearly 300 rescue missions during the Vietnam War. On April 11, 1966, while responding to a high-casualty firefight near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam, he voluntarily descended into a dense jungle battle zone to organize medical and evacuation efforts for wounded soldiers of the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division. Refusing his own evacuation, he remained on the ground after one of the rescue helicopters was damaged by enemy fire.

As the perimeter was breached by a large Viet Cong force, Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen, gathered and distributed ammunition, and continued to treat the wounded. Despite being wounded three times, he valiantly fought on until he was fatally wounded. His actions saved the lives of numerous infantrymen under his care.

Pitsenbarger was initially awarded the Air Force Cross posthumously in 1966, making him the first enlisted recipient of the decoration. Following a comprehensive review nearly 35 years later, his award was upgraded, and he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on December 8, 2000, along with a promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant.