| Edward Albert Ostermann | |
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| General Edward Albert Ostermann |
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| Born | November 23, 1882 Columbus, Ohio |
| Died | May 18, 1969 (aged 86) 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 | Chief Trumpeter (Army) Major General (Marine Corps) |
| Unit | 15th Company of Marines |
| Commands held | Adjutant General/Inspector General |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Edward Albert Ostermann (November 23, 1882–May 18, 1969) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for actions as a First Lieutenant in the capture of Fort Dipitie on October 24, 1915, during the United States occupation of Haiti.
Osterman began his military career in the United States Army in 1899, was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps in 1907, and retired as a Major General in 1943.
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Edward Albert Ostermann was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 23, 1882. He attended the public schools of Milo , Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio.
After attending Ohio Northern University at Ada for two and one-half years, he enlisted in the United States Army on October 21, 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 April 28, 1904. He was honorably discharged on November 12, 1905 as a chief trumpeter with the First Band, Artillery Corps.
On March 20, 1907, Ostermann accepted a commission as a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant. He would go on to serve continuously in the Marine Corps for almost 36 years.
On October 24, 1915, 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, was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at during this battle. Later in the Haitian campaign, on November 11, 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 became 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 the United States entered World War II, General Ostermann volunteered for service on the front as either a colonel or a brigadier general. In rejecting his request, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Thomas Holcomb, did express his appreciation to the general.
On January 1, 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.
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| Medal of Honor | Purple Heart | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal w/ 2 service stars | |||||||||
| Army of Cuban Pacification Medal | Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1912) | Mexican Service Medal | World War I Victory Medal w/ West Indies clasp | ||||||||
| American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal | Haitian Distinguished Service Order, Officer | ||||||||
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.
After his retirement from the Marine Corps, General Ostermann retired to Wakefield Manor in Huntly, Virginia. He died on May 18, 1969.