William Osborn
Encyclopedia
William Osborn or Osborne (1837 – May 17, 1887) was an American
soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 1st U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. He was one of several men who received the Medal of Honor
for gallantry during Lieutenant Colonel George Crook
's "winter campaign" against the Apache Indians
in the Arizona Territory
during 1872 and 1873.
against the Plains Indians
during the 1870s and eventually reached the rank of sergeant
. During the Apache Wars
, he served under Lieutenant Colonel George Crook
in his "winter campaign" of 1872-73. He distinguished himself in several battles with the Apache
in the Arizona Territory
during this time and, on April 12, 1875, was among the members of his regiment to receive the Medal of Honor
for "gallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches". Osborn died in Washington, D.C.
on May 17, 1887, at the age of 50. He was interred at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery
.
Citation:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
who served with the 1st U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. He was one of several men who received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for gallantry during Lieutenant Colonel George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
's "winter campaign" against the Apache Indians
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
in the Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
during 1872 and 1873.
Biography
William Osborn was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1837. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a member of the 1st U.S. Cavalry. He participated in the Indian WarsIndian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
against the Plains Indians
Plains Indians
The Plains Indians are the Indigenous peoples who live on the plains and rolling hills of the Great Plains of North America. Their colorful equestrian culture and resistance to White domination have made the Plains Indians an archetype in literature and art for American Indians everywhere.Plains...
during the 1870s and eventually reached the rank of sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. During the Apache Wars
Apache Wars
The Apache Wars were a series of armed conflicts between the United States and Apaches fought in the Southwest from 1849 to 1886, though other minor hostilities continued until as late as 1924. The Confederate Army participated in the wars during the early 1860s, for instance in Texas, before being...
, he served under Lieutenant Colonel George Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
in his "winter campaign" of 1872-73. He distinguished himself in several battles with the Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
in the Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
during this time and, on April 12, 1875, was among the members of his regiment to receive the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for "gallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches". Osborn died in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on May 17, 1887, at the age of 50. He was interred at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery
United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery
United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, in Washington, D.C., is located next to the Armed Forces Retirement Home. It is one of only two national cemeteries administered by the Department of the Army—the other being Arlington National Cemetery...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company M, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: Winter of 1872-73. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Boston, Mass. Date of issue: 12 April 1875.Citation:
Gallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars