The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
ORMSBEE,
FRANCIS EDWARD, JR.
Rank and organization:
Chief Machinist's Mate, U.S. Navy. Place and Date: Pensacola, Fla., 25
September 1918. Born: 30 April 1892, Providence, R.l. Accredited to:
Florida. G.O. No.: 436, 1918.
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 near by, 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.
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