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Maj. Louis J. Sebille

Maj. Louis Joseph Sebille flew 68 combat missions in World War II as a B-26 bomber pilot. He became commanding officer of the 67th Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group, in the fall of 1948. When the Korean War began, his squadron was one of the first sent to Japan.

On Aug. 5, 1950, during a close air support mission, antiaircraft fire damaged Sebille's F-51. Rather than abandon his aircraft, Sebille continued the attack under heavy fire. His aircraft was again damaged, and he dived to his death onto the enemy gun battery.

Medal of Honor Citation
Major Louis J. Sebille, United States Air Force, a member of the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Hanchang, Korea on 5 August 1950. During an attack on a camouflaged area containing a concentration of enemy troops, artillery, and armored vehicles, Major 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, Major 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.

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