Charles H. Pitman
Charles H. Pitman | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Chuck |
Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | 20 October 1935
Died | 13 February 2020 Pensacola, Florida, U.S. | (aged 84)
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1955–1990 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands held | 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 Marine Aircraft Group 36 H&MS-16 |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (4) Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
Charles Henry Pitman Sr. (20 October 1935 – 13 February 2020) was a lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps who served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation.[1][2] He retired in 1990 and died in 2020 from cancer. He was also involved in the 1980 Operation Eagle Claw.[3][4][5]
1973 shooting[]
On January 7, 1973 Mark Essex went on a racially motivated killing spree against whites in New Orleans, eventually barricading himself on the roof of a high-rise hotel. Lt. Colonel Pitman commandeered a CH-46 military helicopter to assist the police officers. Pitman landed the helicopter near the hotel, taking on armed officers and flew over the hotel. By this time, Essex had retreated to the roof of the building, from where he and men in the helicopter exchanged many rounds over many hours. As nightfall came, the gunman took cover in a concrete rooftop stairwell enclosure on the southeast side of the roof. As he stepped out in the open to fire again on the helicopter, and after hitting the helicopter's transmission, Essex was fatally shot numerous times by police sharpshooters positioned on the roofs of adjacent buildings, as well as the automatic weapons aboard the helicopter. An autopsy later revealed he had more than 200 gunshot wounds.
The Aftermath of the Shooting[]
The United States Marine Corps considered a court-martial for Charles Pitman for taking the helicopter without prior approval. However, New Orleans-based Representative Edward Herbert, then chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, recommended the issue be dropped.[6]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Times-Picayune, Ramon Antonio Vargas, NOLA com | The. "40 years after sniper Mark Essex, Marine pilot is proud he helped stop the carnage". NOLA.com.
- ^ "Bio" (PDF). navymarineassociation.net. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ "Retired Lt. Gen. Charles Pitman Sr., whose heroics helped stop 1973 New Orleans sniper attack, dies at 84". Stars and Stripes.
- ^ "Interview With Lieutenant General Charles H. Pitman, USMC". U.S. Naval Institute. August 1, 1988.
- ^ "Bio" (PDF). www.epnaao.com. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ Times-Picayune, Ramon Antonio Vargas, NOLA com | The. "40 years after sniper Mark Essex, Marine pilot is proud he helped stop the carnage". NOLA.com.
External links[]
- 1935 births
- 2020 deaths
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War
- American Vietnam War pilots
- Military personnel from Illinois
- People from Chicago
- Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- United States Marine Corps generals
- United States Naval Aviators
- United States military personnel stubs