Benjamin L. Sebban
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

On 17 March 2007, then-Sergeant First Class Benjamin L. Sebban was serving as a Senior Medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment (Airborne Reconnaissance), 82nd Airborne Division while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that date in Diyala Province, Iraq, SFC Sebban noticed a civilian truck accelerating toward a combat outpost laden with explosives. Stepping from behind a Humvee, SFC Sebban moved toward the vehicle and warned his fellow paratroopers of the impending attack yelling 3 times until the explosion from the vehicle knocked him down. Although mortally wounded by shrapnel injuries to his abdomen, groin and legs, SFC Sebban immediately moved to the aid station to begin treating his fellow wounded paratroopers until he collapsed and succumbed to his wounds. SFC Sebban's valiant actions safeguarded the lives of 86 paratroopers and prevented enemy insurgent forces from overrunning a combat outpost and caused the enemy element to retreat. SFC Sebban’s courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Achievement Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Knot
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Medical Badge
Expert Field Medical Badge
Parachutist Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Benjamin L. Sebban, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Senior Medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Squadron, 73d Cavalry Regiment (Airborne Reconnaissance), 82d Airborne Division, by placing himself in a position of danger to ensure his unit's welfare during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 17 March 2007, in Diyala Province, Iraq. On that date, Sergeant First Class Sebban safeguarded the lives of 86 paratroopers during a suicide-car-bomb attack on a combat outpost. Sergeant First Class Sebban noticed a civilian truck accelerating toward the compound laden with explosives. Stepping from behind a Humvee, he moved toward the vehicle and warned his fellow paratroopers of the impending attack yelling three times until the explosion from the vehicle knocked him down. Although mortally wounded by shrapnel injuries to his abdomen, groin and legs, Sergeant First Class Sebban immediately moved to the aid station to begin treating his fellow wounded paratroopers until he collapsed and succumbed to his wounds. Sergeant First Class Sebban's valiant actions prevented enemy insurgent forces from overrunning his position and caused the enemy element to retreat. Sergeant First Class Sebban's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant First Class Benjamin L. Sebban is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 60, Site 8613.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18518621/benjamin-l_-sebban