Air Force Enlisted History

As each of the nine casualties evacuated that day was recovered, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get more wounded soldiers to safety. After several pick-ups, Pitsenbarger’s rescue helicopter was struck by heavy enemy ground fire and was forced to leave the scene for an emergency landing. Pitsenbarger waved off evacuation and voluntarily stayed behind on the ground to perform medical duties. Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. During the subsequent attempt to evacuate the site, American forces came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong force. When the enemy launched an assault, the evacuation was called off and Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders. As the battle raged on, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for the wounded, pull them out of the line of fire, and return fire whenever he could, during which time he was wounded three times. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. In the vicious fighting that followed, the American forces suffered 80 percent casualties as their perimeter was breached, and Pitsenbarger was fatally wounded. Pitsenbarger’s bravery and determination stand as a prime example of the highest professional standards and traditions of military service. His family was initially awarded his Air Force Cross in a Pentagon ceremony in 1966. Thirty-four years later, after survivors of the battle came forward with proof of Pitsenbarger’s valor, and with the signing of the 2001 National Defense Authorization Act, Pitsenbarger’s Air Force Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor making him the sixth enlisted member to be awarded the country’s highest award.

Of the 19 Air Force Cross recipients from the Vietnam conflict, 10 were pararescuemen. Of note, Sergeant Steve Northern earned two Silver Stars and a Purple Heart during his tours in Vietnam. Northern was credited with 51 combat rescues—the most in Air Force history.

CMSgt Richard “Dick” Etchberger was a team chief at Lima Site 85, a mountaintop radar site in Laos when it came under attack by North Vietnamese troops in March 1968. On 11 March, Etchberger and four American technicians huddled on the side of a cliff exchanging gunfire with North Vietnamese specialforces troops. Two Americans were quickly killed, while two others were wounded. Etchberger continued to return the enemy’s fire thus denying access to his position. Etchberger continued to direct air strikes and call for air rescue on his emergency radio, thereby enabling the air evacuation force to locate the surrounded friendly element. More than 5 hours later, an Air America (CIA-owned airline) UH-1 Huey, came to a hover over the cliff. When the helicopter arrived, Etchberger deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to place his two surviving wounded comrades in the rescue sling. When it was Etchberger’s turn to ride up the hoist, another surviving American (who had been hiding elsewhere on the mountain) came running toward him. Etchberger grabbed the man and, bear-hugging each other, the two rode up the hoist together. During this rescue, the Huey was strafed by enemy ground fire. As Etchberger climbed inside the helicopter, armorpiercing bullets tore through the floor of the UH-1. Etchberger was struck from below and bled to death before he reached the hospital in Thailand. His fierce defense, which culminated in the supreme sacrifice of his life, saved not only the lives of his three comrades but provided for the successful evacuation of the remaining survivors of the base. In December 1968, Etchberger’s family received his posthumous Air Force Cross at a Top Secret ceremony held in the Pentagon. His Air Force Cross was Top Secret because his action in Laos, which by international treaty, was a neutral country during the Vietnam conflict, stayed Top Secret until declassified in 1982. Etchberger’s Air Force Cross became a matter of public record in 1998, 30 years after his heroic action.

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