Riley L. Pitts
United States Army Medal of Honor recipient / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Riley Leroy Pitts (October 15, 1937 – October 31, 1967) was a United States Army captain and the first African-American officer to receive the Medal of Honor.[1] The medal was presented posthumously by President Lyndon B. Johnson on December 10, 1968 for actions in Ap Dong, Republic of Vietnam.
Quick Facts Birth name, Born ...
Riley L. Pitts | |
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Birth name | Riley Leroy Pitts |
Born | (1937-10-15)October 15, 1937 Fallis, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Died | October 31, 1967(1967-10-31) (aged 30) Ap Dong, Republic of Vietnam |
Buried | Hillcrest Memory Gardens, 35°31′30.0″N 97°18′3.0″WSpencer, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1960–1967 |
Rank | Captain |
Commands held | Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division |
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Awards | |
Alma mater | Wichita State University (BA) |
Spouse(s) | Eula Mae Pitts |
Children | 2 |
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