Medal of Honor: Francis Edward Ormsbee Jr. World War I, September 25, 1918
When a Navy aircraft spun out of the sky and into the waters off Pensacola in 1918, one sailor risked his life in a desperate rescue attempt. His bravery saved one man and nearly another.
September 25, 2025
Name: Francis Edward Ormsbee Jr.
Rank: Chief Machinist’s Mate
War: World War I
Date of Action: September 25, 1918
Unit: Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida
Accredited to: Florida
Summary of Action
During a training flight at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Francis Ormsbee witnessed another aircraft plunge into the water in a deadly tailspin. Landing near the wreck, he dove overboard and swam to the sinking machine, where only two wingtips remained above the surface. Fighting tangled wreckage and lacerations to his hands, Ormsbee succeeded in freeing the gunner enough to keep his head above water until rescue boats arrived. He then made repeated dives into the shattered fuselage in a desperate attempt to reach the pilot. Though he was unable to save him, Ormsbee’s courage and refusal to give up embodied the highest traditions of the United States Navy.
Medal of Honor Citation
For extraordinary heroism while attached to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., on 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 2 wing tips. He succeeded in partially extricating the gunner so that his head was out of 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.
