Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award from President Richard M. Nixon on March 7, 1969, at the White House in Washington DC for his actions as a sergeant first class in the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Laos on February 19, 1968, during the Vietnam War. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he joined the US Army in 1959 and served three tours in the Republic of Vietnam, the last being with the 5th Special Forces Group in 1967. It was during a reconnaissance mission in Laos the following year that he displayed courage and valor above the call of duty for which he received the Medal of Honor. After the war, he remained in the US Army and retired in 1989 at the rank of master sergeant with 30 years of continuous military service. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he received numerous other military and foreign awards and decorations, including the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star (with one oak leaf cluster and combat "V" device), the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), the National Defense Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal (with four campaign stars). Following his military retirement, he was the military coordinator for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He died at the age of 53. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Zabitosky, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving as an assistant team leader of a 9-man Special Forces long-range reconnaissance patrol. Sfc. Zabitosky's patrol was operating deep within enemy-controlled territory when they were attacked by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army unit. Sfc. Zabitosky rallied his team members, deployed them into defensive positions, and, exposing himself to concentrated enemy automatic weapons fire, directed their return fire. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sfc. Zabitosky ordered his patrol to move to a landing zone for helicopter extraction while he covered their withdrawal with rifle fire and grenades. Rejoining the patrol under increasing enemy pressure, he positioned each man in a tight perimeter defense and continually moved from man to man, encouraging them and controlling their defensive fire. Mainly due to his example, the outnumbered patrol maintained its precarious position until the arrival of tactical air support and a helicopter extraction team. As the rescue helicopters arrived, the determined North Vietnamese pressed their attack. Sfc. Zabitosky repeatedly exposed himself to their fire to adjust suppressive helicopter gunship fire around the landing zone. After boarding 1 of the rescue helicopters, he positioned himself in the door delivering fire on the enemy as the ship took off. The helicopter was engulfed in a hail of bullets and Sfc. Zabitosky was thrown from the craft as it spun out of control and crashed. Recovering consciousness, he ignored his extremely painful injuries and moved to the flaming wreckage. Heedless of the danger of exploding ordnance and fuel, he pulled the severely wounded pilot from the searing blaze and made repeated attempts to rescue his patrol members but was driven back by the intense heat. Despite his serious burns and crushed ribs, he carried and dragged the unconscious pilot through a curtain of enemy fire to within 10 feet of a hovering rescue helicopter before collapsing. Sfc. Zabitosky's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army."