Louis J. Sebille

Infobox Military Person
name= Louis J. Sebille
born= birth date|1915|11|21
died= death date and age|1950|8|5|1915|11|21
placeofbirth= Harbor Beach, Michigan
placeofdeath= Near Hanchang, Korea
placeofburial=


caption= Medal of Honor recipient Louis Sebille
nickname=
allegiance=flag|United States of America
branch=air force|United States
serviceyears=
rank= Major
unit=E Flight, 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group, 5th Air Force
battles= Korean War
awards= Medal of Honor Purple Heart

Louis Joseph Sebille (November 21 1915 – August 5 1950) was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 5, 1950.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Air Force, 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group, 5th Air Force. Place and date: Near Hanchang, Korea, 5 August 1950. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 21 November 1915, Harbor Beach. Mich.

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.cite web
accessdate=2007-12-31
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/koreanwar.html
title = "LOUIS J. SEBILLE" entry
work = Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War
date = July 16, 2007
publisher= CMH, U.S. Army]

Unfortunately there appears to be some confusion as to the location of Major Sebille's Medal of Honor action. Although the Citation states Hanchang, it is more likely that the location was Hamchang, South Korea. There was significant ground fighting around Hamchang at the time of Major Sebille's action, and it seems probable that this was the location.

He was buried at Forest Home Cemetery, [cite web |url=http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous.php?page=city&FScityid=41672|title=Browse by City: Forest Park|accessdate=2008-05-05 |format= |work=Findagrave.com] in Forest Park, Chicago.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients

Notes

References

*findagrave|7855064 Retrieved on 2007-12-10
*cite web
accessdate=2007-12-31
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/koreanwar.html
title = "LOUIS J. SEBILLE" entry
work = Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War
date = July 16, 2007
publisher= Center of Military History (CMH), United States Army
* [http://www.af.mil/history/spotlight.asp?storyID=123012331 USAF official web-site, details of Major Sebille's career]

Persondata
NAME= Sebille, Louis J.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Air Force Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=