Edward Albert Ostermann

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Edward Albert Ostermann
November 23, 1882(1882-11-23) – May 18, 1969 (aged 86)
General Edward Albert Ostermann
Place of birth	Columbus, Ohio
Place of death	Huntly, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps (1907-1943) United States Army (1899-1902, 1904-1905)
Years of service	1899-1902, 1904-1905, 1907-1943
Rank	Major General
Unit	Fifteenth Company of Marines
Commands held	Adjutant General/Inspector General
Battles/wars	United States occupation of Haiti
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart

Edward Albert Ostermann (November 23, 1882–May 18, 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.

1 Biography
- 1.1 U.S. Army service
- 1.2 U.S. Marine Corps career
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 Awards
4 Retirement and death
5 See also
6 References

[edit] Biography

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 100 yards (91 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 squads which advanced in three different directions, led his men forward, surprising and scattering the Cacos, and aiding in the capture of Fort Dipitie.