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Photo # NH 47548:  Lt(JG) Weedon E. Osborne, USN (Dental Corps)

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Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Weedon E. Osborne, USN (Dental Corps), (1892-1918)

Weedon E. Osborne was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 13 November 1892. Educated as a Dentist, on 8 May 1917 he was appointed a U.S. Navy Dental Surgeon, with the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). As with many Naval officers in medical related fields, he was assigned to duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, and went to France to take part in World War I fighting on the Western Front. On 6 June 1918, during the Battle of Belleau Wood, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Weedon E. Osborne was killed in action while attempting to rescue a wounded officer. For his "extraordinary heroism" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

USS Osborne (Destroyer # 295, later DD-295), of 1920-1931, was named in honor of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Osborne.

This page features the only view we have of Weedon E. Osborne.


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Photo #: NH 47548

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Weedon E. Osborne, USN (Dental Corps)


Portrait photograph taken circa 1917-1918.
Lt(JG) Osborne was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross for "extraordinary heroism" on 6 June 1918, during the Battle of Belleau Wood.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 41KB; 600 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Weedon E. Osborne (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 122):

"For extraordinary heroism while attached to the Fifth Regiment, United States Marines, in actual conflict with the enemy and under fire during the advance on Bouresche, France, on 6 June 1918. In the hottest of the fighting when the Marines made their famous advance on Bouresche at the southern edge of Belleau Wood, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Osborne threw himself zealously into the work of rescuing the wounded. Extremely courageous in the performance of this perilous task, he was killed while carrying a wounded officer to a place of safety."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 27 February 2005