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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Marine Corps

Oscar Wadsworth Field

Private Oscar Wadsworth Field, Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War May 11, 1898

Private Oscar Wadsworth Field was a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Nashville. Field was 24 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 19, 1899. He later rose to the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant.

Field was born on October 6, 1873 in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Field died on January 5, 1912 in Dayton, Ohio, at the age of 38. He is buried at Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

Field is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Field set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Jersey City — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. October 6, 1873
    Born in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 24. U.S.S. Nashville
  3. August 19, 1899
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. January 5, 1912
    Died in Dayton, Ohio
    Age 38.
  5. Resting place
    Dayton National Cemetery
    Dayton, Ohio

Biography

Oscar Wadsworth Field (October 6, 1873 – January 5, 1912) was a private serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

From the Wikipedia article “Oscar Wadsworth Field”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on May 11, 1898

Benjamin F. Baker Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DB David Duffy Barrow Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AB Albert Beyer Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 RB Robert Blume Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George F. Brady Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Washington Bright Coal Passer · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DC Daniel J. Campbell Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 JC Joseph Edward Carter Blacksmith · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 LC Leonard B. Chadwick Apprentice First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 TC Thomas C. Cooney Chief Machinist · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Davis Gunner's Mate Third Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

More Spanish-American War recipients from New York

WM William Henry Morin Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Fitzgerald Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 TK Thomas Kelly Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 Richmond Pearson Hobson Lieutenant · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WK William G. Keller Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 HP Herman Pfisterer Musician · Army 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.