The true story of William Pitsenbarger of The Last Full Measure Film

Contact Your Elected Officials

‘The Last Full Measure’ hits theaters on January 24th, 2020 — but before you go to the theater, check out the amazing true story of William Pitsenbarger, the first enlisted airman to earn the Medal of Honor.

Young pararescue medic received Medal of Honor 34 years after fatal mission.

The density of the jungle canopy near Cam My made it nearly impossible to lower Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger in on April 11, 1966. Capt. Harold D. Salem, pilot of the Huskie helicopter, could hardly see as he hovered over a “little bitty” clear spot.

William Pitsenbarger, a pararescue medic with Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, had been off duty when a call for help came from members of the 1st Infantry Division. He volunteered to go out in the hoist-equipped HH-43 to help organize the rescue effort.

Twenty-one-year-old “Pits” knew how dangerous his position was. Although a first-timer, he was in the final months of his enlistment and had already completed more than 300 rescue missions. He also knew that standard procedure called for him to care for the wounded and then pull out. Yet when Sgt. Gerald Hammond, operating the hoist, beckoned, Pitsenbarger “just gave him a wave-off,” recalled Salem. The young medic elected to stay with the men he had come to help.

After an hour and a half, intense fire made it impossible for a chopper to return. Pitsenbarger was on his own. He made stretchers out of saplings and splints from vines and branches. Collecting weapons and ammunition from the dead, he passed them to wounded soldiers, even giving his own pistol to one man who was so badly hurt he could not hold a rifle. When Pitsenbarger had done all he could, he began firing at the enemy.

According to Sgt. Fred Navarro, who was next to him at the time, William Pitsenbarger was hit and killed sometime around 7:30 that night. “It was so dark in the jungle you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face,” Navarro said.

When Pitsenbarger’s body was recovered, it had five enemy bullet wounds. He was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, the first airman to be so honored. Yet eyewitnesses like Navarro and Salem knew that a Medal of Honor was a more fitting recognition of Pitsenbarger’s heroism.

Because of testimonies like theirs, the Defense Department on Dec. 8 will bestow the country’s highest military honor on William Pitsenbarger. His father, now in his 80s, will attend the ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to accept the award on his son’s behalf. William Pitsenbarger is the second enlisted Air Force member to receive the Medal of Honor since the Air Force was designated a separate service in 1947.

Source: Military.com

THE LAST FULL MEASURE (2020)ย Official Trailer

A new Vietnam War film tells a story of battlefield heroism, and the desperate fight to see it recognized

The Thinking Conservative
The Thinking Conservativehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/
The goal of THE THINKING CONSERVATIVE is to help us educate ourselves on conservative topics of importance to our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. We do this by sharing conservative opinions on all kinds of subjects, from all types of people, and all kinds of media, in a way that will challenge our perceptions and help us to make educated choices.

The Sacred Honor of the 56

Today we're celebrating the sacred honor of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Alligator Alcatraz: A Bold Step Toward Secure Borders

Alligator Alcatraz funded through FEMA, represents a decisive move by the Trump admin to address illegal immigration with efficiency and resolve.

Is America Broke?

Silicon Valley investor and economic commentator Balaji Srinivasan made...

Hungary: Prideโ„ข Cometh Before the Color Revolution

The EU engaged in a diplomatic siege of the Eastern European nation-state of Hungary pressuring it into embrace global trannyism or face wrath of Brussels.

Understanding the Trump/Musk Feud

The passion Trump and Musk exhibit over the OBBB is not contrived or for show. Each is addressing the problem from completely different approaches.

Noem Waives Environmental Restrictions to Fast-Track Water Barriers in Rio Grande

DHS Sec Kristi Noem waived federal environmental laws to fast-track construction of 17 miles of waterborne barriers in the Rio Grande in South Texas.

Federal Officials Warn of โ€˜Lone Wolfโ€™ Terror Threats on July 4, NY Governor Says

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed that federal officials informed her about a possible terrorist threat ahead of the July 4 Independence Day holiday.

Record 1 in 5 Buyers of New Cars Committing to $1,000-Plus Monthly Payments: Edmunds

The share of new car buyers committing to make monthly payments of $1,000 or more hit an โ€œall-time highโ€ in the second quarter of 2025.

US Economy Adds 147,000 New Jobs, Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent in June

The U.S. job market remained strong in June, as labor conditions continued to hold up amid economic uncertainty.

US Keeps Pressure on Chinese Goods Amid Vietnam Trade Deal

Transshippingโ€”rerouting goods through a third country to disguise the origin of the productsโ€”is a focal point of trade negotiations with Asian markets.

White House Report Reveals Top Earners, Staffers Working for No Salary

The Trump admin released its yearly report that shows the salaries for White House staffers, also revealing officials who arenโ€™t accepting salaries at all.

Transportation Secretary Urges Governors to Remove Political Messages From Crosswalks, Intersections

Duffy sent letters to governors, mayor of D.C., and gov of Puerto Rico urging them to remove political messaging from intersections and crosswalks.

Bessent: US, India Near Agreement to Lower Tariffs

The United States and India are โ€œvery closeโ€ to a trade agreement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday.
spot_img

Related Articles