‘Avengers’ stars part of cast in film about local war hero

William H. Pitsenbarger in Vietnam in the 1960s. He died in battle. CONTRIBUTED

William H. Pitsenbarger in Vietnam in the 1960s. He died in battle. CONTRIBUTED

A movie about a local war hero and Medal of Honor recipient will get a special screening at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force next month.

The film, “The Last Full Measure,” tells the story of Piqua native William Pitsenbarger, an Air Force medic who saved more than 60 men during one of the most brutal battles of the Vietnam War, according to the Air Force Museum Foundation.

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Pitsenbarger was offered a chance to escape the battle on a helicopter but he chose to stay behind and help out, according to the foundation. He ended up dying on the battle field, but was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor 34 years later.

Jeremy Irvine will star as Pitsenbarger. The rest of the cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Stan, William Hurt and Peter Fonda, Diane Ladd, Christopher Plummer and Alison Sudol. Both Stan and Jackson starred in Marvel’s recent Avengers movies.

The foundation will host the preview of the film in the museum’s theater at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 19. It will be released in theaters nationwide Oct. 25.

Tickets cost $12 apiece or $10 for members of the foundation. They can be purchased online or by calling 937-656-9631, according to the foundation.

Pitsenbarger’s uniform and an exhibit about his life are on display in the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the museum. A statue honors his memory in his hometown of Piqua.

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