Captain Jeb Franklin Seagle was born on August 4, 1953 in Lincolnton, North Carolina. He was the Co-pilot of another AH-1T shot down by the triple a sites while trying to assist an Army unit that was in trouble in downtown St. Georges. Capt Seagle was unhurt, however his Pilot, Capt Howard was badly wounded and had lost a hand. The two pilots held up by a tree in the crash site and called for help. HMM-261 launched a rescue CH-46 and ALL understood that the crash site was completely covered by the AAA. Capt Howard drew his pistol in an attempt to shoot himself, informing Capt Seagle that he should get clear and take care of himself.

Capt Jeb Seagle took the pistol away from Capt Howard and went towards the Army unit to seek help. Capt Jeb Seagle was captured and executed just north of the crash site. The body was recovered by Medical Students and washed and cleaned. MGYSGT George T. Curtis was asked to inspect the body for signs of Torture. There were none. Two bullet wounds to the rear of the back of the lower head. His ID card and Dog Tags were still with him.

Capt Howard was rescued under intense enemy fire by GYSGT Kelly Neidigh, the Gunner aboard the SAR CH-46 from HMM-261. The Rescue Helicopter was piloted by Major Mel W. Demars; the Crew Chief was Simon Gore. Capt Seagle is now buried in the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Vale, Lincoln County, North Carolina, USA.


NAVY CROSS CITATION: The Navy Cross is awarded to Captain Jeb F. Seagle, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as an AH-IT (TOW) Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261, 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada on 25 October 1983. While conducting an armed reconnaissance mission in support of ground forces, Captain Seagle's aircraft was hit by multiple anti-aircraft artillery projectiles and forced down behind enemy lines. Having been knocked out by the blast, Captain Seagle regained consciousness after his fellow pilot had flown the aircraft to impact and found that his aircraft was on fire and burning out of control. As Captain Seagle exited the front cockpit of the Cobra, he saw that the other pilot had been critically wounded and remained helplessly trapped in the aircraft. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Seagle courageously returned to the aircraft which was now engulfed in flames and pulled him out. As unexpended ordnance began to cook off all around them, Captain Seagle carried the severely wounded pilot well clear of the danger. Now exposed to heavy enemy small arms and machinegun fire and faced with certain death or capture, Captain Seagle ignored the danger and remained to attend the wounds of the injured pilot by wrapping a tourniquet around his severely bleeding arm. Realizing that enemy soldiers were approaching, Captain Seagle fearlessly distracted them away from the helpless pilot and ultimately sacrificed his own life in an effort to buy time for the rescue helicopter to arrive. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of danger, Captain Seagle ensured his brother-in-arms was rescued; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com