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Photo # NH 79954:  Merrimac Operation Crew, 3 June 1898

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Boatswain Osborn W. Deignan, USN, (1877-1916)

Osborn Warren Deignan was born on 24 February 1877 in Stuart, Iowa. He enlisted in the US Navy from that state and served as a Coxwain on the collier Merrimac during the Spanish-American War. Phillips remained to serve as one of eight volunteer crew members when Rear Admiral William T. Sampson ordered her sunk to block the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba. On the night of 2-3 June 1898, during the courageous attempt to execute this mission, Merrimac's steering gear was disabled by enemy gunfire, and she sank without obstructing navigation. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, Deignan and his shipmates were released. For his "extraordinary heroism" during this operation, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Deignan was promoted to the warrant officer rank of Boatswain on 9 April 1900. As an officer his initial assignments were in the Philippines, first at Manila, then at the Naval Station, Cavite. In June 1902, he reported for duty on USS Oregon and later in that year transferred to the receiving ship Independence, at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California. Boatswain Deignan was stationed at Navy Yard, Pensacola, Florida, in 1903-1904. Next assigned to the receiving ship Franklin, at Norfolk, Virginia, he remained there for less than a year before reporting for his last tour of duty on the monitor Amphitrite in April 1905. Boatswain Deignan retired on 21 April 1906 and thereafter resided in the Los Angeles, California area. Osborn W. Deignan died on 16 April 1916 in Cannon City, Colorado and is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.

This page features the only image we have concerning Osborn W. Deignan.


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Photo #: NH 79954

USS Merrimac Operation, 3 June 1898


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 370, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. This image shows an artistic interpretation of the scuttling of USS Merrimac across the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba, with portraits of her crew on this mission. The crew members from upper left to right are Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson, Coxswain Claus K. R. Clausen (note: official sources state Clausen's first name to be Claus, not Randolph), Coxswain Osborn W. Deignan, Watertender Francis Kelly. The crew members from lower left to right are Coxswain John E. Murphy, Chief Master-At-Arms Daniel Montague, Machinist First Class George F. Phillips, and Gunner's Mate First Class George Charette. All the crew members received the Medal of Honor for this operation.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 87KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Coxswain Osborn Deignan (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 74):

"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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 10 May 2006