Why was William Pitsenbarger denied the Medal of Honor?

Soon after the battle, his Air Force commanders nominated him for the Medal of Honor, but he did not receive it. An Army general recommended that the award be downgraded to the Air Force Cross, apparently because at the time there was not enough documentation of Pitsenbarger’s heroic actions.

Is the last full measure based on a true story?

‘The Last Full Measure’: The True Story of a Vietnam War PJ’s Medal of Honor. Decades later, men who survived that battle led a campaign to recognize Pitsenbarger’s bravery, resulting in the presentation of the Medal of Honor to his parents at the National Museum of the United States Air Force on Dec. 8, 2000.

What rank was William H Pitsenbarger?

Staff sergeant

What happened to Parker Hayes?

WASHINGTON – Parker Hayes, project director for the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibitions whose documentation of the heroics of a Vietnam War airman resulted in the posthumous award of a Medal of Honor, died Aug. 2 at his home in Washington. He was 36.

When was William Pitsenbarger finally given the Medal of Honor?

When was William Pitsenbarger finally given the Medal of Honor? Pitsenbarger was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 8, 2000 at an awards ceremony in Dayton, Ohio, which was attended by 3,000 people. It had been 34 years since his death. His father, Frank Pitsenbarger, was presented with his son’s posthumous Medal of Honor.

What did William Hart Pitsenbarger do in the Vietnam War?

William H. Pitsenbarger 1 Rank: Airmen First Class (Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant) 2 Conflict/Era: Vietnam War 3 Unit/Command: Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 4 Military Service Branch: U.S. Air Force 5 Medal of Honor Action Date: April 11, 1966 6 Medal of Honor Action Place: near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam More

When did William Pitsenbarger get the Air Force Cross?

Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Cross on June 30, 1966. After review and nearly 35 years later, the original award was upgraded. On December 8, 2000, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the airman’s father, William F. Pitsenbarger, and his wife, Alice, accepted the Medal of Honor from Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters.

Where is William h.pitsenbarger buried in Ohio?

Although Pitsenbarger did not escape alive, 60 other men did, partially thanks to his courage and devotion to duty. A1C William Pitsenbarger with an M16 outside the HH-43. He is buried in Miami Memorial Park Cemetery Covington, Ohio. Soon after Pitsenbarger was killed, his Air Force commanders nominated him for the Medal of Honor.