Victor A. Osburn

NAME: Victor A. Osburn

ASN: 35209270

PLACE OF BIRTH:

DATE OF BIRTH: 1918

DATES OF SERVICE: 03 Jul 1941 - 21 Aug 1944

UNIT ASSIGNED: HHC 2nd BN 509th PIR

                                  HHC 509th PIB

CAMPAIGNS: Naples - Foggia, Rome - Arno, Anzio, Southern France

AWARDS: Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge with combat jump star, Silver Star Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with Arrowhead device and three bronze star devices, Distinguished Unit Citation

SUMMARY OF SERVICE:

03 Jul 1941 - Enlisted at Huntington, WV - NARA Enlistment Record

14 Sep 1943 - Pfc. Victor A. Osburn 35209270 2nd BN 509th PIR    14-Sep-43 Participated in Operation GIANT III   Naples-Foggia Combat Jump Star                            

10 Apr 1944 - Pfc. Victor A. Osburn 35209270 HHC 509th PIB    10-Apr-44GO 5 Award of Combat Infantryman Badge                                 

27 Oct 1944 - T/Sgt. Victor A. Osburn 35209270     27-Oct-44 GO 24 HQ 1st ABTF Award of Silver Star    Silver Star page 384 book Stand in the Door by Charles H. Doyle and Terrell Stewart

SILVER STAR

"For gallantry in action at ***, France, on 21 August 1944.  The infantry company to which Technician Osburn was attached as a medical aid-man was attacking a wooded ridge.  The route of approach to this ridge was through a deep, rock bound, valley.  The enemy engaged the company as it attacked, and covered the entire length of the valley with machine gun and artillery fire.  The fire from snipers in well concealed positions was very effective, and it was impossible to advance or withdraw.  Disregarding the dangers involved, Technician Osburn worked tirelessly throughout the entire morning, going from one wounded soldier to another, exposing himself time and again to enemy sniper and machine gun fire.  During the afternoon he located three wounded men who lay among the rocks exposed to sniper and shell fire.  He treated these wounded men and removed them to a place of safety.  Then, despite repeated pleas from his comrades to be more careful, he attempted to aid another wounded soldier and in so doing was himself mortally wounded.  Technician Osburn's splendid example of courage, devotion to duty and utter disregard for his own safety when going to the aid of his comrades inspired his company to maintain its attack until the enemy was overcome."

Tec 5 Victor A. Osburn 35209270  Buchannon, WV         page 390 book Stand in the Door by Charles H. Doyle and Terrell Stewart

27 May 2012 - Dedication of bridge named in honor of Tech 5 Victor A. Osburn The bridge is along Route 151 crossing the Middle Fork River in Ellamore, West Virginia. 

News 5 Article

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15

(By Delegate Hamilton)

Requesting that bridge number 42-151-0.01 on Route 151 in the Community of Ellamore in Randolph County, West Virginia, be named the “Technician Fifth Grade Victor A. Osburn Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Technician Fifth Grade Victor A. Osburn was born on November 3, 1918, in Kedron, Upshur County, West Virginia, to Chesley and Vertie Osburn, formerly Hornbeck; and

Whereas, Technician Fifth Grade Osburn attended Fairview School, a one room school house, in Upshur County; and

Whereas, Prior to enlisting in the United States Army, Technician Fifth Grade Victor A. Osburn was a truck driver for a lumber company in Elkins, West Virginia; and

Whereas, While in the United States Army, Osburn served with the elite 509th parachute infantry battalion, the most decorated paratroop unit of WWII in the European Theater of operations; and

Whereas, Technician Fifth Grade Victor A. Osburn was killed in action on August 21, 1944, in France; and

Whereas, On August 21, 1944, the infantry company to which Technician Fifth Osburn was attached as a medical aid man was approaching a wooded ridge for attack through a deep, rockbound valley; and

Whereas, Osburn’s company was engaged by the enemy with machine gun and artillery fire, the entire length of the valley, under circumstances which rendered it impossible to advance or withdraw; and

Whereas, Despite repeated pleas from his comrades to be more careful, Technician Fifth Osburn worked tirelessly, going from one wounded soldier to another, exposing himself time and again to enemy sniper and machine gun fire; and

Whereas, After removing three wounded men who lay among the rocks exposed to sniper and shell fire to safety, Osburn was mortally wounded as he attempted to aid yet another soldier; and

Whereas, Osburn’s actions on August 21, 1944, is attributed with inspiring his company to maintain its attack until the enemy was overcome; and

Whereas, At the direction of the President of the United States, Osburn was posthumously awarded the Silver Star “for gallantry in action”, one of the highest awards made and believed to be the first awarded to an Upshur countian; and

Whereas, In addition to the Silver Star, Technician Fifth Osburn was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for sacrificing his life in defense of his country; and

Whereas, Technician Fifth Victor A. Osburn served his country and his state with gallantry, courage, honor and distinction and gave the ultimate sacrifice; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 42-151-0.01 in the Community of Ellamore, Randolph County, West Virginia, the “Technician Fifth Grade Victor A. Osburn Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs at both ends of the bridge containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the bridge the “Technician Fifth Grade Victor A. Osburn Memorial Bridge”;and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways; Mr. Leslie Shreve; and Victor A. Osburn’s surviving next of kin consisting of the following nieces and nephews: Annalee Cowgar, Mary Todd, Jean Baxter, Betty Hefner, Corella Shockey, Lula May Woodring, George Ervin Osburn, James E. Osburn, Bargara Gahring, Meredith Osburn, Alma Marko, Shirleen Ramsey, Wanda Spangler, Gary Osburn, Bertha Kluskey, Beatrice Clayton, Mary Mullens, Loraine Ellett, Linda Holley, Richard Rohr, Jimmy Rohr, Martin Rohr, Janice Dunning, Norman Rohr, Hershel Lantz, Lou Ellen Renner, Ellis French Lantz, Margaret Jane Deadrick, Harold Joseph Osburn, Patricia Reger, Leslie Shreve, John Hepler, Dennis Evans, Theida Harman, Terry Evans, Jimmy Osburn and Jean Goff.

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