The Last Full Measure 2020

At the core of The Last Full Measure is the remarkable story of William H. Pitsenbarger, a courageous U.S. Air Force Pararescueman who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. On the fateful day of April 11, 1966, known as Pits by his friends, he made a daring choice to leave the safety of his helicopter amidst fierce enemy fire to aid wounded soldiers, despite the hesitations of his comrades. His altruistic actions saved numerous lives, and when the order came for the last helicopter to depart, Pitsenbarger chose to stay behind, ultimately sacrificing his life for the men of the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

Fast forward thirty-two years, we meet Scott Huffman (Sebastian Stan), a diligent Pentagon staff member who is unexpectedly assigned the responsibility of investigating a Medal of Honor request for Pitsenbarger, put forth by his parents and Tom Tulley (William Hurt), a fellow Pararescueman who served alongside him. As Huffman begins to unravel the layers of this hero’s legacy, he encounters a shocking revelation: for decades, the Air Force had neglectfully failed to submit the names of brave enlisted personnel for consideration of this esteemed medal, despite Pitsenbarger’s gallant death in 1966.

Inspired by Pitsenbarger’s extraordinary bravery and his strong desire to shed light on such a significant narrative, Huffman takes a risky path that could jeopardize his career and strain his relationship with the company’s ex-commanding officer—now a U.S. senator aiming for reelection. When the Senate’s refusal to grant the medal is entangled in unrelated political disputes, Huffman bravely decides to share Pitsenbarger’s story with the public.

Ultimately, Pitsenbarger is awarded the Medal of Honor through a presidential decree. In a heartfelt moment before the award ceremony, Ray Mott (Ed Harris) finds the strength to deliver Pitsenbarger’s poignant final letter to his former love. As the ceremony unfolds, Pitsenbarger’s parents, who are dealing with their own loss as their son faces terminal cancer, stand alongside the soldiers whose lives were deeply affected by Pitsenbarger’s selfless deeds. The Air Force Secretary presents the medal to his parents, acknowledging the profound effect of Pitsenbarger’s heroism. The narrative concludes with a somber reflection that, as of 2019, only three enlisted Airmen have received the Medal of Honor among millions of U.S. military personnel.