Charles H. Pitman

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]

Charles H. Pitman
Nickname(s)Chuck
Born(1935-10-20)20 October 1935
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died13 February 2020(2020-02-13) (aged 84)
Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1955–1990
RankLieutenant General
Commands held1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21
Marine Aircraft Group 36
H&MS-16
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart

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.

See also

References
  1. 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.
  2. "Bio" (PDF). navymarineassociation.net. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  3. "Retired Lt. Gen. Charles Pitman Sr., whose heroics helped stop 1973 New Orleans sniper attack, dies at 84". Stars and Stripes.
  4. "Interview With Lieutenant General Charles H. Pitman, USMC". U.S. Naval Institute. August 1, 1988.
  5. "Bio" (PDF). www.epnaao.com. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
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