Sebastian L. Vogel was born on July 10, 1918, in Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. He was the son of Sebastian Oliver Vogel and Rose Grace Schleich Vogel. He graduated from North Dakota Agricultural College.

Sebastian served in the 427th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Radio Operator on the B-17 #41-24584 during World War II.

On January 23, 1943, the crew was attacked by German FW-190 fighters during their mission to bomb the port area and U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. Their plane was shot down by Ltn Melchior Kestel 9./JG26 . All members were able to bail out of their airplane except for 2Lt Moser, who was killed during the attack. Of those nine members who bailed out, six were captured and taken as prisoners, two evaded German capture, and one member was killed during his parachute descent when he was shot by a hunter. Their airplane crashed at Abbey Pleyben near Edern, France. SSgt Vogel escaped with the aide of the French Underground.

He married Kathleen Chezick on June 11, 1943 in Fargo. Sebastian was a Professor of Agricultural Engineering at NDSU for over 25 years and then taught at Independent Study. He enjoyed farming in his spare time, woodworking and spending time with his family at Cotton Lake-water skiing at the age of 72.

Vogel died on April 19, 2007, at the age of 88. He is now buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net