PITZEN, John Russell 1934-1972
PITZEN, COAN, MCGLASHING
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/23/2011 at 12:50:48
John Russell Pitzen
April 4, 1934 -- August 17, 1972
Iowa war pilot's services set
Services for a Cedar Rapids woman's brother, who was shot down over North Vietnam 24 years ago, will be conducted today at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
Mary Ellen McGlashing said family members will attend the ceremony for her brother, Capt. John Pitzen, a Navy pilot whose plane was downed while escorting an attack mission on August 17, 1972. His remains, and those of four other Navy and Air Force fliers, were recently returned to the United States, McGlashing said.
Another service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. April 27 at Visitation Church in Stacyville, Pitzen's home town in north central Iowa.
[Cedar Rapids Gazette, April 18, 1996]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NOTES: John was the son of Sylvester J. and Dorothy (Coan) Pitzen.
He had three brothers, Tom, Nick and Steve and a sister Mary Ellen McGlashing.
Photo below is from his memorial tombstone at Visitation Cemetery, Stacyville.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES:John Russell Pitzen
His name is on the Washington Vietnam Memorial Wall at Panel W1, Line 67
He served in the United States Navy, and was grade 05 when he died, and held the rank of Captain. He was promoted while in MIA status.
His ID number was: 482348880. He was airplane pilot, serving aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, TF 77, 7th Fleet.The incident happened on August 17, 1972, but he was officially declared dead on March 1, 1978. His body was later found in Vietnam and was returned to the United States on November 29, 1994. His body was identified on Feb. 20, 1996.
See additional information at VirtualWall.org/dp/PitzenJR01a.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See photo of his tombstone and military plaque on GPP -- Link below)
Link to GPP - tombstone photo
Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen