1998 HALL OF FAME WINNER William Hart Pitsenbarger (1944 – 1966) Pitsenbarger was born in Piqua and graduated from Piqua High school in 1962. He joined the Air Force and was sent to Vietnam in 1965 as a para-rescue specialist. On his day off, Pitsenbarger volunteered for a rescue mission to evacuate wounded American soldiers. He was able to aid in the evacuation of nine men before the helicopter came under fire. He voluntarily stayed behind to help the wounded and as a result was killed by enemy small arms fire. Pitsenbarger was the first enlisted man in U.S. history to receive the Air Force Cross. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor.