John Osborne (Medal of Honor)

Saving a young shipmate from drowning at Philadelphia docks.

John Osborne was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1844. He served in the United States Navy as a seaman aboard USS Juniata.

On August 21, 1876, while the vessel was at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Osborne rescued an enlisted boy from drowning. The Medal of Honor recognized his gallant conduct in saving his shipmate.

His citation preserves the record of the rescue and his willingness to act when another sailor's life was in danger.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

Serving on board the U.S.S. Juniata, Osborne displayed gallant conduct in rescuing from drowning an enlisted boy of that vessel, at Philadelphia, Pa., 21 August 1876.