The airmen of Kadena Air Base on the Japanese island of Okinawa, have updated the base’s Medal of Honor Memorial, adding the name of SSgt. William Pitsenbarger—a Vietnam-era pararescuemen who defended 20 infantrymen during an April 11, 1966 operation in which he died. The Air Force initially presented a posthumous Air Force Cross to Pitsenbarger, then, in December 2000, the award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, making him the sixth enlisted airman to receive the Medal of Honor. (Read our article “Pitsenbarger, Medal of Honor.”)
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
