Veterans to Share Story of Medal of Honor Recipient William Pitsenbarger at Troy Event in April; Reseve a Seat Now

Information provided
TROY — The Miami Valley Veterans Museum will host a special “Hero Voices” program on Sunday, April 12, from 2–4 p.m., featuring two veterans who witnessed the heroism of Medal of Honor recipient William H. Pitsenbarger during the Vietnam War.

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   The event will take place at the museum, 2245 S. County Road 25A in Troy. Admission is free for veterans, museum volunteers and invited guests, though seats must be reserved online. Soft drinks and water will be available for purchase.

 

   During the program, retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. David Milsten and Army veteran Phillip Hall will share first-hand accounts of the Battle of Xa Cam My, which occurred nearly 60 years ago.

 

   The April 11, 1966 battle involved soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” who were surrounded by a much larger Viet Cong force. Pitsenbarger, an Air Force pararescueman and Piqua native, had already flown nearly 300 rescue missions in Vietnam when he was lowered into the battle to treat and evacuate wounded soldiers.

 

   Although ordered to leave on the final evacuation helicopter, Pitsenbarger chose to remain on the ground to help defend the wounded and continue treating injured troops. He was killed during the battle while aiding the surrounded soldiers.

 

   More than three decades later, in 2000, Pitsenbarger was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions. He is credited with saving more than 60 men during the war.

 

   His story was later depicted in the 2019 film The Last Full Measure.

 

   Pitsenbarger is buried at Miami Memorial Park Cemetery.

 

   Seats for the event can be reserved online at HERE.

 

   The Miami Valley Veterans Museum is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 that works to preserve and share the history of veterans from the region through exhibits, educational programs and community events.