Career
He was one of several men who received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during Lieutenant Colonel George Crook"s "winter campaign" against the Apache Indians in the Arizona Territory during 1872 and 1873. William Osborn was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1837. He participated in the Indian Wars against the Plains Indians during the 1870s and eventually reached the rank of sergeant.
During the Apache Wars, he served under Lieutenant Colonel George Crook in his "winter campaign" of 1872-1873.
Osborn died in Washington, District of Columbia on May 17, 1887, at the age of 50. He was interred at the United States Soldiers" and Airmen"s Home National Cemetery.