Edward Albert Ostermann

Infobox Military Person
name= Edward Albert Ostermann
born= birth date|1882|11|23
died= death date and age|1969|5|18|1882|11|23
placeofbirth= Columbus, Ohio
placeofdeath= Huntly, Virginia
placeofburial=


caption= General Edward Albert Ostermann
allegiance=flag|United States of America
branch= (1899-1902, 1904-1905)
serviceyears=1899-1902, 1904-1905, 1907-1943
rank= Major General
commands= Adjutant General/Inspector General
unit= Fifteenth Company of Marines
battles= United States occupation of Haiti
awards= Medal of Honor Purple Heart
laterwork=

Edward Albert Ostermann (23 November 1882–18 May 1969) was a United States Marine First Lieutenant awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the capture of Fort Dipitie on 24 October 1915 during the United States occupation of Haiti. Also awarded Medals of Honor for their actions at Fort Dipitie were Captain William P. Upshur, Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly, and Major Smedley Butler.

Osterman, who began his military career in the United States Army in 1899, and was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps in 1907 achieve the rank of Major General upon his retirement in 1943 after over 40 years of military service.

Biography

Edward Albert Ostermann was born in Columbus, Ohio on 23 November 1882. He attended the public schools of Milo , Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio.

U.S. Army service

After attending Ohio Northern University at Ada for two and one-half years, he enlisted in the United States Army on 21 October 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 28 April 1904. He was honorably discharged on 12 November 1905 as a chief trumpeter with the First Band, Artillery Corps.

U.S. Marine Corps career

On 20 March 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 24 October 1917, 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 11 November 1917, Ostermann was wounded in action and returned to the United States for hospitalization.

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 1 January 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.

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 reconnaissance. After dark on the evening of 24 October 1915, while crossing the river in a deep ravine, the detachment was suddenly fired upon from 3 sides by about 400 Cacos concealed in bushes about convert|100|yd 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 squads which advanced in three different directions, led his men forward, surprising and scattering the Cacos, and aiding in the capture of Fort Dipitie.

Awards

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Ostermann was awarded the Purple Heart, Cuban Pacification Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (with two stars), Mexican Service Medal, Nicaraguan Campaign Medal, World War I Victory Medal with West Indies Clasp, American Defense Service Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Haitian Distinguished Service Order in the grade of officer.

Retirement and death

After his retirement from the Marine Corps, General Ostermann retired to Wakefield Manor in Huntly, Virginia. He died on 18 May 1969.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients

References

*cite web
url=http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/hd/historical/Whos_Who/Ostermann_EA.htm
title=Major General Edward Albert Ostermann, USMC
work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History
publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps

*cite web
url=http://www.medalofhonor.com/EdwardOstermann.htm
title=Haitian Campaign Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, First Lt. Edward Albert Ostermann, USMC
publisher=MedalofHonor.com

*cite web
url=http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/0/0000033ba9f47a7385255fa4005fd622?OpenDocument
title=1stLt Edward A. Osternmann, Medal of Honor, 1915, 15th Co, Haiti
work=Marine Corps Medal of Honor Recipients
publisher=United States Marine Corps

*findagrave|7836747 Retrieved on 2007-12-12

*cite web
url=http://www.army.mil/cmh/moh.html
title=1stLt Edward A. Osternmann, Medal of Honor, 1915, 15th Co, Haiti
work=Marine Corps Medal of Honor Recipients
publisher=United States Army

Persondata
NAME= Ostermann, Edward Albert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients
DATE OF BIRTH= 23 November 1882
PLACE OF BIRTH= Columbus, Ohio
DATE OF DEATH= 18 May 1969
PLACE OF DEATH= Huntly, Virginia