Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
World War I - U.S. Navy
Francis Edward Ormsbee Jr.
Details
- Rank: Chief Machinist's Mate (Highest Rank: Chief Aviation Pilot)
- Conflict/Era: World War I
- Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: September 25, 1918
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Pensacola, Florida
Citation
For extraordinary heroism while attached to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., 25 September 1918. While flying with Ens. J.A. Jova, Ormsbee saw a plane go into a tailspin and crash about three-quarters of a mile to the right. Having landed nearby, Ormsbee lost no time in going overboard and made for the wreck, which was all under water except the two wing tips. He succeeded in partially extricating the gunner so that his head was out of the water, and held him in this position until the speedboat arrived. Ormsbee then made a number of desperate attempts to rescue the pilot, diving into the midst of the tangled wreckage although cut about the hands, but was too late to save his life.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Florida
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: April 30, 1892, Providence, Providence County, RI, United States
- Died: October 24, 1936, Ardmore, OK, United States
- Buried: St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI, United States