There are no actors or directors in the above video about the making of Vietnam war drama film The Last Full Measure, instead it has actual veterans reflecting on the Battle of Xa Cam My which is featured in the film through various flashbacks.
To be more accurate, several veterans of U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division discuss the bravery shown by William H. Pitsenbarger, a U.S. Air Force pararescue man who paid the ultimate price helpng save their lives during the April 11, 1966 battle that occurred east of Saigon.
The 21-year-old’s selfless acts are said to have saved the lives of at least 60 Americans on that day.
“On the ground, he organized and coordinated rescue efforts, cared for the wounded, prepared casualties for evacuation, and insured that the recovery operation continued in a smooth and orderly fashion. Through his personal efforts, the evacuation of the wounded was greatly expedited. As each of the nine casualties evacuated that day were recovered, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get one more wounded soldier to safety,” read part of Pitsenbarger’s Medal of Honor citation.
“After several pick-ups, one of the two rescue helicopters involved in the evacuation was struck by heavy enemy ground fire and was forced to leave the scene for an emergency landing. Airman Pitsenbarger stayed behind, on the ground, to perform medical duties.”
Pitsenbarger (pictured below) was later killed by a Viet Cong sniper during the battle.
The more contemporary part of The Last Full Measure focusses on the veterans dealing with a Washington bureaucrat to have Pitsenbarger’s medal upgraded to be the Medal of Honor which became reality in 1999.
The Last Full Measure stars Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Irvine, Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Diane Ladd, Peter Fonda, Linus Roach, John Savage and Samuel L. Jackson. It was released in early 2020.
Press the top left play button on the above feature image so the video can pop up for you to watch.
