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Coxswain · U.S. Navy

Osborn Warren Deignan

Coxswain Osborn Warren Deignan, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 3, 1898 at Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War June 3, 1898

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Coxswain Osborn Warren Deignan received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 3, 1898 at Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Merrimac. Deignan was 21 years old.

7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Boatswain.

Deignan was born on February 24, 1877 in Stuart, Guthrie County, Iowa. His Medal of Honor is credited to Iowa. Deignan died on April 16, 1916 in Cannon City, Colorado, at the age of 39. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

Deignan is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 55 credited to Iowa.

Official Medal of Honor citation

In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 2 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish batteries, Deignan displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Stuart — map
  • Died: Colorado — map
  • Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Iowa →

Timeline

  1. February 24, 1877
    Born in Stuart, Guthrie County, Iowa
  2. June 3, 1898
    Act of valor — Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance, Cuba
    Age 21. U.S.S. Merrimac
  3. April 16, 1916
    Died in Cannon City, Colorado
    Age 39.
  4. Resting place
    Forest Lawn Memorial Park
    Glendale, California

Biography

Osborn Warren Deignan (February 24, 1877 – April 16, 1916) was an enlisted sailor and later a Warrant Officer in the United States Navy. He received his country's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for actions in the Spanish–American War. Born in Iowa, he joined the Navy in 1894 and participated in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba, the largest naval engagement of the Spanish–American War. Deignan and seven others attempted to block the entrance to Santiago Harbor, Cuba but the Spanish destroyed their ship before they could accomplish their mission, and took them prisoner. The men were later released and Deignan received the Medal of Honor for his actions.

From the Wikipedia article “Osborn Deignan”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on June 3, 1898

George Charette Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 Claus Kristian randolph Clausen Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 Richmond Pearson Hobson Lieutenant · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 FK Francis Kelly Watertender · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DM Daniel Montague Chief Master-at-Arms · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JM John Edward Murphy Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 George Frederick Phillips Machinist First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.