The United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) Jefferson Davis Chapter 2477 honored Dean Osborne of Mouth of Wilson with the Vietnam Conflict Cross of Military Service.
“Osborne was recognized for his sacrifices, faithful devotion and military service to our country in time of war,” according to the chapter.
Osborne served in the U.S. Army Infantry as a Specialist 4th Class, Company "C," First Bn., Third U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960, Good Conduct Medal and Marksmanship Award.
The UDC Military Service Awards are an outgrowth of the Southern Cross of Honor that was bestowed on Confederate veterans. Today, the UDC bestows these medals on veterans who are descendants of Confederate soldiers.
Osborne is the great-great grandson of Jonathan Osborne, born 1832 in Grayson County. He enlisted in Wytheville on March 31, 1863, in Company "K," 21st Virginia Calvary, for three years under Captain Oliver. According to official records, he was paid $11 on Oct. 1, 1863, at the Dublin Depot for service from April 7-June 27, 1863.
Jonathan Osborne never returned home to his wife, Mary "Polly" Crouse Osborne and his five children – Alvin, 9; Nancy Jane Beck, 8; Polly Ann, 6; Enoch Reeves, 3; and William J., 1.
The family never knew what happened to him or where his final resting place is located. In his memory, a Confederate monument was placed in the Ben Taylor Cemetery in Independence, Va., and was dedicated by the UDC Jefferson Davis Chapter 2477.