Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Lloyd
Osborne

Born:

Prescott

, 

Arizona

Home:

Los Angeles

, 

California

Buried: 

Monterey

, 

California

Cemetery:

Monterey City Cemetery

After his daring escape from the Philippine Islands, William Osborne volunteered for MerrillÕs Marauders, conducting combat missions behind Japanese lines in the China-Burma-India Theater. He then went on to have a distinguished career in the Army, including service in Korea and Vietnam. At the time of his retirement from the Army, as a colonel, William Osborne was Assistant Chief of Staff, 6th U.S. Army, at the Presidio of San Francisco.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    51st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    51st Division, Philippine Army

    Action Date:

    April 9 – October 11, 1942
    Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, General Orders No. 44 (1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) William Lloyd Osborne (ASN: 0-32154), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as a member of the 51st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Army, during the period 9 April through 11 October 1942, in the Philippine Islands following the surrender at Bataan. Captain William Osborne and escaped American POW Lieutenant Damon Gause, located a 22-foot sailboat with a diesel engine and tattered sails. With no charts or navigation equipment, and little fuel, the two men sailed south in the ship they named “Ruth-Lee” after their wives. Continuing south, while evading enemy patrols and despite one strafing run by an enemy aircraft, the two men neared Australia where they were picked up and rescued. Captain Osborne’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    July 1960 – July 1962
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 2 (January 14, 1963)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) William Lloyd Osborne (ASN: 0-32154), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1960 to July 1962.