Albert Oss

Albert Oss was born in Belgium in 1818 and later emigrated to the United States. By the time he joined the Union Army, he was associated with Newark, New Jersey. His exact birthplace, immigration date, family background and civilian occupation have not been established in the sources used for this account.

Oss enlisted on 16 July 1862 and served as a private in Company B, 11th New Jersey Infantry. At Chancellorsville, Virginia, on 3 May 1863, he continued resisting the Confederate advance after other soldiers had withdrawn. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Remained in the rifle pits after the others had retreated, firing constantly, and contesting the ground step by step." He remained in military service until his muster-out on 6 June 1865.

Postwar records connect Oss with Newark. A transcription of the 1883 federal pension list records a pension for a wound to his right knee. On 14 December 1891, Senator John R. McPherson presented Oss's petition asking for a gold medal in recognition of gallant service. The Congressional Record shows that the petition was referred to the Senate Committee on Military Affairs; it does not establish a separate medal award.

Oss received the Medal of Honor on 6 May 1892, almost 29 years after the action at Chancellorsville. He died in New Jersey on 18 December 1898 and was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Orange, in the soldiers' plot, section H, lot 137, grave 4.

Sources: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Albert Oss; New Jersey Sons of Union Veterans, Medal of Honor Recipients, p. 48; Congressional Record, 14 December 1891, p. 39; Essex County 1883 pension-list transcription, Genealogy Trails.