VU paid tribute to the Honorable Jim R. Osborne last night. The retired judge was surrounded by
community leaders, dignitaries, friends, and loved Thursday night.
Osborne is a local history enthusiast, was presented the Vincennes University Alumni
Association’s prestigious Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation for Service.
The citation honors Osborne’s lifelong commitment to civic leadership and
recognizes his many professional achievements.
Osborne has served his community through the many organizations, including:
Vincennes Kiwanis, the Salvation Army, the Vincennes University Foundation,
Old Northwest Corporation, Red Skelton Museum Foundation Board, and the
Knox County Bar Association. He also has served as a member of the Indiana
Judges Association, the Board of Directors of the Indiana Judicial
Conference, and as a Major in the Indiana National Guard Reserve. He was
named to the Legend of Hoosier Heroes by Adjutant General Martin Umbarger
of the Indiana National Guard.
He has received Civitan’s Citizen of the Year Award, the American Red Cross
Carroll Hamner Spirit of Knox County Award, the National Daughters of the
American Revolution Historic Preservation Medal, and the American Legion
Spirit of ’76 Award. In addition, Osborne served as a 2016 Indiana
Bicentennial Torch Bearer and he currently serves as vice chair of the
State of Indiana WWI Centennial Committee.
Osborne has been an avid military collector and historian all of his life
and his interest in military history has taken him all over the world
visiting museums, battlefields, and countless historic sites. While there
he conducted interviews with many veterans and noted persons in history.
He has written articles and been interviewed on numerous television
broadcasts including Good Morning America with Joan Lunden and CBS America
Tonight.
Through his personal collection he was instrumental in establishing the
Indiana Military Museum, focusing on preserving and displaying significant
military artifacts and memorabilia pertaining to U.S. Military history.
The museum has become known as one of the most comprehensive military
history and educational facilities in the Midwest. Thousands of visitors –
including school groups, students, and veterans – annually tour the museum
and enjoy the growing variety of displays. Osborne serves as the president
of the Museum Corporation and chairs the Board of Directors.