OSBERG DE 538

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

John C. Butler Class Type WGT Destroyer Escort
Keel Laid November 3 1943 - Launched December 7 1943


1. USS OSBERG DE-538
   Commissioned December 10 1945 - Decommissioned 1947
   Recommissioned February 26 1951 - Decommissioned February 25 1958
   
   Struck from Naval Register August 1 1972
   Sold February 5 1974 for scrap

 

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

Since a ship may have many covers, they may be split among many pages so it doesn't take forever for the pages to load. Each page link should be accompanied by a date range for covers on that page.

1. Covers Page 1     (DATE RANGE)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Date From to Date To	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

USPO Slogan Machine Postmark Boston, MA

1946-01-15

The ship had no postal facilities.

 

Other Information

NAMESAKE - Carl August Osberg USNR (April 13 1920 - June 4 1942)
After attending Cornell University, Osberg enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Class V-5, as a Seaman 2nd class, at the Boston Navy Yard on December 10 1940. Reporting for elmination flight training at the U.S. Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Boston, on December 16 1940, Osberg completed his instruction on January 16 1941, and was transferred to the U.S. Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Fla., on February 13. On the 15th he was appointed an Aviation Cadet, and on the 19th he received a discharge as Seaman 2nd Class to accept that appointment. He reported to NAS Jacksonville that same day. Detached on July 23, he transferred to NAS Miami, Fla., "for active duty undergoing training." Appointed a Naval Aviator (heavier than air) on September 12, he accepted his appointment that same day as Ensign, A-V(N). Reporting to the Advanced Carrier Training Group, Pacific Fleet, on October 5, he was detached from that duty on November 4, and reported to Torpedo Squadron (VT) 3, part of the USS SARATOGA CV-3 Air Group, the next day. After the torpedoing of SARATOGA on January 11 1942, and her subsequent departure for repairs at Puget Sound, VT-3 was based ashore, first at NAS Pearl Harbor, at Ford Island, T.H., standing alert duty for island defense, then at NAS Kaneohe Bay, whence the squadron trained and continued to stand alerts. On May 30 1942, assigned to the air group of USS YORKTOWN CV-5, replacing VT-5, VT-3 flew on board as that carrier sailed to participate in what would become known as the Battle of Midway. On June 4 1942, YORKTOWN launched VT-3, and Bombing Squadron 3, covered by fighters from Fighting Squadron 3, to attack the Japanese carrier force in concert with a strike from USS ENTERPRISE CV-6 and USS HORNET CV-8. Circumstances, however, dictated that only the YORKTOWN Air Group attacked as a unit, with VT-3 the last of the three torpedo squadrons to execute their brave low-level attacks. Japanese Zero carrier fighters, however, overwhelmed the six-plane VF-3 covering element, and, in concert with heavy antiaircraft fire from the carriers and their screening ships, splashed ten of the twelve of VT-3's Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bombers. Ens. Osberg and his radio gunner, ARM2c Troy C. Barkley, perished in the attack. Osberg was awarded the Navy Cross (posthumously), for his "self-sacrificing gallantry and fortitude...in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service..."

 

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