Military Data for Adair CountyDeignan, Osborn Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 24 February 1873, Sheart, Iowa. Accredited to: Iowa. G.O. No.: 529, 2 November 1899. 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. (Source: Center of Military History, United States Army.
Citations taken from the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Report,
Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978)
Submitted by Linda Rodriguez
Spanish American War Song Osborn Deignan. D. Frank You can talk about your heroes who 'mid storm of solid shot,
Walked boldly into battle, when the fray was raging hot.
There are heroes at Manila, there are heroes everywhere,
There are manly noble fellows, ready now to do or dare,
But the greatest of all heroes is the one who dares to go
To a certain death of horror in the awful depths below.
Who knows but not a shadow of chance for life remains,
That a death both swift and sudden is reward for all his pains.
But who in spite of danger answers "here" at duty's calls,
And leaps to his post of duty, little recking if he falls,
All honor to young Deignan, a hero brave is he,
As honest and as true a lad as ever sailed the sea.
All honor to his mother in her far off little home,
May peace and plenty be her lot and sorrow never come,
And when her boy returns to her, his duty bravely done,
I hope you Stuart people will remember Deignan's son.
Source: Spanish-American War Songs: A Complete Collection of Newspaper Verse During the Recent War with Spain (1898)
By Sidney A. Witherbee
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