The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Chief Machinist’s Mate Francis Edward Ormsbee, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while attached to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida., on 25 September 1918. While flying with Ensign J. A. Jova, Chief Machinist’s Mate 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 two 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. Chief Machinist’s Mate 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.