Louis J. Sebille

Continuing an air attack near Hanchang

Louis Joseph Sebille was born on 21 November 1915 in Harbor Beach, Michigan. He served as a major with the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group, 5th Air Force during the Korean War.

On 5 August 1950 near Hanchang, Korea, antiaircraft fire severely damaged Sebille's F-51 during an attack on an enemy concentration. He continued attacking forces threatening friendly ground troops despite the limited time his aircraft could remain airborne. He died during a further dive on the target.

General Hoyt Vandenberg presented Sebille's posthumous Medal of Honor to his widow at March Air Force Base, California, on 24 August 1951. Sebille is buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

Medal of Honor citation

Maj. Sebille distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. During an attack on a camouflaged area containing a concentration of enemy troops, artillery, and armored vehicles, Maj. Sebille's F-51 aircraft was severely damaged by antiaircraft fire. Although fully cognizant of the short period he could remain airborne, he deliberately ignored the possibility of survival by abandoning the aircraft or by crash landing, and continued his attack against the enemy forces threatening the security of friendly ground troops. In his determination to inflict maximum damage upon the enemy, Maj. Sebille again exposed himself to the intense fire of enemy gun batteries and dived on the target to his death. The superior leadership, daring, and selfless devotion to duty which he displayed in the execution of an extremely dangerous mission were an inspiration to both his subordinates and superiors and reflect the highest credit upon himself, the U.S. Air Force, and the armed forces of the United Nations.