John Robert Osborn

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on September 4, 2004:

John Robert Osborn Born May 2, 1928 - Died October 29, 1998 John Robert "Ozzie" Osborn was born in Lawrenceville, Illinois on 2 May 1928 and was appointed to West Point from the 23rd Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "Perseverance brought Ozzie to West Point on the third try, and it has remained his byword through the years. He devoted most of his time to lacrosse until the French Department 'demanded' more of his attention. Still John found time to operate on his radio or devolve some mass system of efficiency, showing his keen mechanical talents that should be of use to him in the service." During his cadet days John went out for Lacrosse and was on the Choir all four years; was on the Rifle Team and on the Howitzer staff plebe year; with the Camera Club yearling, cow and first class year; with the Pistol Club cow and first class years; and was a Cadet Lieutenant his first class year. Upon graduation John went in the Air Force and after flying training reported to the 11th Flight Squadron where he served from 1952 to 1954. Next John went with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Republic of Korea; served through 1954 and finished his Far Eastern tour in Okinawa with the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing in 1955. On return to stateside John was assigned to McChord AFB from 1955 to 1958 with the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. From 1958 to 1961 John was Aide de Camp to the Commander of Air Research and Development Command and then he took time to earn a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona in 1963. Next John was assigned to the 7234 Ammunition Supply Squadron in England where he served until 1965 when he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 48th Communications & Electronics Squadron in Europe where he served until 1967. John's next assignment was to Headquarters, 35th Tactical Fighter, Republic of Vietnam; served from 1967 to 1968 and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for distinguished heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight; the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy and 9 Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight. On return to stateside John was assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Strategic Air Command where he served until 1968 when he was named Director of Operations for Training with the 22nd Bomb Wing and served from 1969 to 1971. Next John was appointed to his last military assignment as Commander of the 321st Communications & Electronics Squadron and served as such until he retired from the United States Air Force in 1973 as a Colonel. After retirement John accepted a position with a Jackson, Michigan Engineering firm where he served from 1973 to 1987 when he retired for a second time. The May 1991 Assembly noted that the Osborns have weathered a year overcast by threats of cancer to Marianne and emphysema to him. She successfully came through 6 months of chemo and began radiation treatments in January. As a category 3, the risk of recurrence will hang over their heads for some time. John says, "Spread the word; say NO TO SMOKING and tell the distaff side to check the underarm area while doing cancer checks." The May 1995 Assembly noted that "John's vocal chord cancer was zapped by radiation in August and all is well." John and his wife Marianne made their home in San Antonio, Texas where John died on September 29, 1998. Click to find out what makes Fly Boys tick Air Force Values ufa

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