World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Fred Osborn
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Chicago, Illinois
Honored By
Jones E. Thomas
SERVED WITH THE COMBAT ENGINEERS ATTACHED TO 1ST ARMY, 1ST BATTALION A COMPANY, 1ST PLATOON, 1ST SQUADRON. AS HIS LANDING CRAFT WAS APPROACHING OMAHA BEACH 3 MINUTES AFTER H-HOUR ON JUNE 6, 1944 IT EITHER HIT MINES OR WAS STRUCK BY MORTAR FIRE. THINKING THAT THE LANDING CRAFT WAS SINKING, THE NAVY ENSIGN ORDERED THE CRAFT ABANDONED. WHILE IN THE WATER AND SEEING THE OTHERS MACHINE GUNNED HE SWAM OUT TO SEA AND WAS PICKED UP AND RETURNED TO ENGLAND. HE LATER RETURNED TO HIS SQUADRON FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WAR.