Edward Albert Ostermann
Encyclopedia
Edward Albert Ostermann (November 23, 1882–May 18, 1969) was a United States Marine
First Lieutenant who received the Medal of Honor
for actions during the capture of Fort Dipitie on October 24, 1915 during the United States occupation of Haiti.
Osterman began his military career in the United States Army
in 1899, was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps in 1907, and retired as a Major General
in 1943.
on November 23, 1882. He attended the public schools of Milo , Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio
.
at Ada
for two and one-half years, he enlisted in the United States Army on October 21, 1899, where he served as a musician
. After three years, he was discharged at the rank of chief trumpeter. After a year and a half as a civilian, he reenlisted in the Army on April 28, 1904. He was honorably discharged on November 12, 1905 as a chief trumpeter with the First Band, Artillery Corps.
On October 24, 1915, the 15th Marine Company captured
Fort Dipitie during the U.S. occupation of Haiti. Ostermann, along with Major Smedley Butler, Captain William Upshur and Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at during this battle. Later in the Haitian campaign, on November 11, 1917, Ostermann was wounded in action
and returned to the United States for hospital
ization.
In 1938, he was ordered to Washington, D.C where he become the Assistant adjutant
and assistant inspector general
of the Marine Corps. In 1939, he was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General
and promoted to Adjutant General and Inspector General of the Marine Corps.
When World War II
began, General Ostermann volunteered for service on the front as either a Colonel
or as a Brigadier General. In rejecting this request the Commandant of the Marine Corps
, Thomas Holcomb
expressed his appreciation for the General.
On January 1, 1943, Ostermann retired from the Marines due to health reasons. He was promoted to the rank of Major General
upon retirement by virtue of his Medal of Honor actions in combat.
. He died on May 18, 1969.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
First Lieutenant who received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for actions during the capture of Fort Dipitie on October 24, 1915 during the United States occupation of Haiti.
Osterman began his military career in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1899, was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps in 1907, and retired as a Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
in 1943.
Biography
Edward Albert Ostermann was born in Columbus, OhioColumbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
on November 23, 1882. He attended the public schools of Milo , Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
.
U.S. Army service
After attending Ohio Northern UniversityOhio Northern University
Ohio Northern University is a private, United Methodist Church-affiliated university located in the United States in Ada, Ohio, founded by Henry Solomon Lehr in 1871. ONU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. ONU is a sister...
at Ada
Ada, Ohio
Ada is a village in Hardin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 5,582 at the 2000 census. In 2006, the village's population was estimated at 5,841, and the 2010 census counted 5,952 people....
for two and one-half years, he enlisted in the United States Army on October 21, 1899, where he served as a musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. After three years, he was discharged at the rank of chief trumpeter. After a year and a half as a civilian, he reenlisted in the Army on April 28, 1904. He was honorably discharged on November 12, 1905 as a chief trumpeter with the First Band, Artillery Corps.
U.S. Marine Corps career
On March 20, 1907, Ostermann accepted a commission as a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant. He would go on to served continuously in the Marine Corps for almost 36 years.On October 24, 1915, the 15th Marine Company captured
Battle of Fort Dipitie
The Battle of Fort Dipitie, or the Battle of Grande Riviere, was fought in October 1915 during the United States occupation of Haiti. U.S...
Fort Dipitie during the U.S. occupation of Haiti. Ostermann, along with Major Smedley Butler, Captain William Upshur and Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at during this battle. Later in the Haitian campaign, on November 11, 1917, Ostermann was wounded in action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
and returned to the United States for hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
ization.
In 1938, he was ordered to Washington, D.C where he become the Assistant adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
and assistant inspector general
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
of the Marine Corps. In 1939, he was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
and promoted to Adjutant General and Inspector General of the Marine Corps.
When World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
began, General Ostermann volunteered for service on the front as either a Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
or as a Brigadier General. In rejecting this request the Commandant of the Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
, Thomas Holcomb
Thomas Holcomb
General Thomas Holcomb was the seventeenth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps . He was the first Marine to achieve the rank of General. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Holcomb served as Minister to South Africa .-Early years:Holcomb was born on August 5, 1879 in New Castle, Delaware...
expressed his appreciation for the General.
On January 1, 1943, Ostermann retired from the Marines due to health reasons. He was promoted to the rank of Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
upon retirement by virtue of his Medal of Honor actions in combat.
Awards
| Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... |
Purple Heart Purple Heart The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York... |
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is a decoration of the United States Marine Corps which was first created on 8 May 1919. Originally known as the Marine Corps Expeditionary Ribbon, a full-sized medal was authorized in July 1921 by Presidential Order of Warren G. Harding... w/ 2 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... s |
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| Army of Cuban Pacification Medal Army of Cuban Pacification Medal The Army of Cuban Pacification Medal is a military award of the United States Army which was created by orders of the United States War Department on May 11, 1909... |
Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1912) Nicaraguan Campaign Medal The Nicaraguan Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy which was authorized by Presidential Order of Woodrow Wilson on September 22, 1913. The medal was again authorized by an act of the United States Congress on November 8, 1929... |
Mexican Service Medal Mexican Service Medal The Mexican Service Medal is an award of the United States military which was established by General Orders of the United States War Department on December 12, 1917... |
World War I Victory Medal w/ West Indies clasp Medal bar A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the... |
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| American Defense Service Medal American Defense Service Medal The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:... |
American Campaign Medal American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt... |
World War II Victory Medal | Haitian Distinguished Service Order, Officer | ||||||||
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:In company with members of the Fifteenth Company of Marines, all mounted, First Lieutenant Ostermann left Fort Liberte, Haiti, for a 6-day reconnaissanceReconnaissanceReconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
. After dark on the evening of 24 October 1915, while crossing the riverRiverA river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in a deep ravineRavineA ravine is a landform narrower than a canyon and is often the product of streamcutting erosion. Ravines are typically classified as larger in scale than gullies, although smaller than valleys. A ravine is generally a fluvial slope landform of relatively steep sides, on the order of twenty to...
, the detachment was suddenly fired upon from 3 sides by about 400 Cacos concealed in bushes about 100 yards (91.4 m) from the fort. The Marine detachment fought its way forward to a good position, which it maintained during the night, although subjected to a continuous fire from the Cacos. At daybreak, First Lieutenant Ostermann, in command of one of the three squadSquadIn military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section...
s which advanced in three different directions, led his men forward, surprising and scattering the Cacos, and aiding in the capture of Fort Dipitie.
Retirement and death
After his retirement from the Marine Corps, General Ostermann retired to Wakefield Manor in Huntly, VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. He died on May 18, 1969.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients during the occupation of Haiti
- Reciopients of the Medal of Honor for their actions at Fort Dipitie:
- Captain William P. UpshurWilliam P. UpshurMajor General William Peterkin Upshur was the recipient of his nation's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in 1915 during the Haitian Campaign.-Biography:...
- Gunnery SergeantGunnery SergeantGunnery Sergeant is the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, and is a staff non-commissioned officer...
Dan Daly - Major Smedley ButlerSmedley ButlerSmedley Darlington Butler was a Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps, an outspoken critic of U.S. military adventurism, and at the time of his death the most decorated Marine in U.S...
.
- Captain William P. Upshur