Weedon Edward Osborne

He died carrying a wounded officer from Belleau Wood's fire.

Weedon Edward Osborne was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 13 November 1892. He trained as a dentist before entering naval service during the First World War. Appointed a Navy dental surgeon on 8 May 1917, he held the rank of lieutenant, junior grade. His profession did not confine him to a distant hospital: naval medical and dental officers also served with Marine formations on land, where the demands of combat could require them to treat and recover casualties under fire.

Osborne went to France and was attached to the Marine brigade during the fighting around Belleau Wood. On 6 June 1918, Marines advanced toward Bouresches at the southern edge of the wood. The attack encountered heavy German fire, and casualties accumulated on exposed ground. Although comparatively new to this combat environment, Osborne moved into the work of rescuing the wounded rather than remaining behind the troops.

His Medal of Honor citation describes him throwing himself into the rescue effort during the hottest fighting. It concludes that "he was killed while carrying a wounded officer to a place of safety" (official Navy transcription in Medal of Honor, 1861–1949, page 122; reproduced at https://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/pers-us/uspers-o/w-osborn.htm). He was killed while carrying out that duty, aged twenty-five. His short wartime career ended before he could return to dental practice or establish a later civilian life.

Osborne received the Medal of Honor posthumously. Navy historical accounts also identify an Army Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism.

The Navy preserved a portrait taken about 1917–18 and named the destroyer USS Osborne in his honour.