Navy Federal Credit Union

Osborne Wiseman graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1938. During the 1942 Doolittle raid over Tokyo it was Lieutenant Wiseman (VB-6) who flew low over the deck of the U.S.S. Enterprise to drop the weighted note advising that a Japanese picket ship had been spotted, thereby informing the command that the mission might have been compromised. He was subsequently declared Missing in Action during the Air Battle of Midway, during which he earned the Navy Cross.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 3 (VB-3)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    June 4 – 6, 1942

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Osborne Beeman Wiseman (NSN: 0-81188), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron THREE (VB-3), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 – 6 June 1942. Defying extreme danger from a concentrated barrage of anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wiseman, with utter disregard for his own safety, participated in persistent and vigorous attacks against the Japanese invasion fleet, thereby contributing in great measure to the glorious and decisive victory of our forces. His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to the accomplishment of a vastly important objective contributed in large measure to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.