World War II Honoree

William Osbourne

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

California

Honored By

Richard D. McFarland

COMMISSIONED IN 1940 IN THE REGULAR ARMY AS 2ND LIEUTENANT IN THE 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION, FORT ORDNANCE, CALIFORNIA ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1941. WAS SENT TO LUZON AS A COMPANY COMMANDER OF A PHILIPPINE SCOUT COMPANY. ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR, WAS GIVEN COMMAND OF THE 2ND BATTALION, 51ST INFANTRY PHILIPPINE ARMY. VOLUNTEERED AT THE REQUEST OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT TO GO ON A MISSION WITH MERRILL'S MARAUDERS, WHERE HE WAS COMMANDER OF THE FIRST BATTALION RED AND WHITE COMBAT TEAMS WHERE HE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF WITH HIS LEADERSHIP DURING THE LONG CAMPAIGN BEHIND ENEMY LINES, LEADING TO THE CAPTURE OF THE AIRFIELD AND CITY OF Myitkyina.