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Chief Machinist's Mate · U.S. Navy

Francis Edward Ormsbee Jr.

Chief Machinist's Mate Francis Edward Ormsbee Jr., Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on September 25, 1918 in Pensacola, Florida during World War I.

World War I September 25, 1918

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Chief Machinist's Mate Francis Edward Ormsbee Jr. received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 25, 1918 in Pensacola, Florida during World War I. Ormsbee was 26 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Chief Aviation Pilot.

Ormsbee was born on April 30, 1892 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island. His Medal of Honor is credited to Florida. Ormsbee died on October 24, 1936 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, at the age of 44. He is buried at St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Ormsbee is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 24 credited to Florida.

★ Rescue & Lifesaving★ Aviators & Aircrew

Official Medal of Honor 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Providence — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Florida →

Timeline

  1. April 30, 1892
    Born in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
  2. September 25, 1918
    Act of valor — Pensacola, Florida
    Age 26.
  3. October 24, 1936
    Died in Ardmore, Oklahoma
    Age 44.
  4. Resting place
    St. Francis Cemetery
    Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Biography

Francis "Frank" Edward Ormsbee Jr. (April 30, 1892 to October 24, 1936) was an American naval aviator serving in the U.S. Navy during World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

From the Wikipedia article “Francis E. Ormsbee Jr.”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on September 25, 1918

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker First Lieutenant · Air Force World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.