In April 1998, the AFSA Headquarters staff began a project to upgrade William H. Pitsenbarger's Air Force Cross to a Medal of Honor. In early 1999, following almost a year of research and gathering testimonies by AFSA and Airmen Memorial Museum researchers, the package was submitted to the Secretary of the Air Force by U.S. Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio. The recommendation traveled through the Air Force Review Boards Agency and from the Secretary of the Air Force to all service chiefs. Following approval by the Chiefs, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff delivered the package to DoD. Proper notification was provided to the appropriate House and Senate committees, and the recently released joint House and Senate Conference report for the FY 2001 Defense Authorization Bill included Congress' approval. The best guess (as of today) is that the medal will be presented to Mr. Pitsenbarger (Bill's Father) in early December. Bill Pitsenbarger will be the second Air Force enlisted recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Air Force became a separate service in 1947. Of the 21 recipients of the Air Force Cross, this will be the first upgrade to the Medal of Honor. It is a great day for the Air Force and AFSA. All enlisted members should feel proud of this singular recognition and the role you played, through your association, in getting this historic medal upgrade accomplished.

JAMES D. STATON
Executive Director
Air Force Sergeants Association

Note from the webmaster: ALOT of PJs (active and retired), crewmembers, and especially the CFM (CMSgt Miller) had alot to do with this initiative and it's ultimate success!! Well done to all involved!

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