He was only the second awardee of the Member's Cross of the House Order of Hohenzollern.

57 Squadron RFC Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d's over Neuville [3] on 2 April 1917 resulted in Festner claiming a FE-2d (Lt. H.P.

48 Squadron RFC, he forced down in captivity the Bristol F.2 Fighter of Captain Leefe Robinson, a Victoria Cross holder, holing his engine: his observer, 2/Lt.

48 Sqn which force-landed with a dead observer) while on 8 April Festner himself force-landed his Albatros D.II (serial 223/16) with a cracked wing spar,[4] which occurred while in combat with Nieuport 17s of No.

60 Squadron RFC, including future ace Lt. William 'Billy' Bishop.

Gunner, WIA and Lt. C. Curtiss) on 11 April, while on 13 April Jasta 11, Festner included, shot down an entire six-aircraft flight of Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8s from No.

On 23 April 1917, having previously won both classes of the Iron Cross, Sebastian Festner became only the second recipient of the Member's Cross with Swords of the House Order of Hohenzollern.

[2] Flying Albatros D.III (serial 2251/17), Festner was killed in action on 25 April 1917, near Oppy.

Exact details are unknown; he was either struck by ground fire, suffered a broken propeller, or shot down attacking a Sopwith 1½ Strutter crewed by Lt. C. R. O'Brien & gunner 2/Lt.

[2] With the area under German artillery fire, there was no attempt to recover either plane or body.