Steven L. Ossad
Military Historian & Leadership Consultant


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Applied Battlefield Concepts, LLC

Selected Works

Henry Ware Lawton: Flawed Giant and Hero of Four Wars, Army History, Winter 2007
Brevet Colonel, Commander of the 30th Indiana Volunteers, and recipient of the Medal of Honor - all at the age of 23 - Henry Lawton's career spanned four decades until he fell "bringing democracy to a distant land."
BG Joseph Mansfield, Military Heritage Magazine, February 2007
When Joseph K.F. Mansfield fell at the Battle of Antietam, he was the ranking casualty on either side, the oldest general and West Point graduate to die in battle.
The Terrills: "God Alone Knows Which Was Right", America's Civil War Magazine, September 2006
William and James Terrill of Virginia chose opposing sides in the Civil War, rose to general and fell in battle. Theirs is a unique story of "brother against brother".
Paperback Edition of Major General Maurice Rose: World War II's Greatest Forgotten Commander
The only American Armored Division commander to die in battle, Maurice Rose was the son and grandson of rabbis who rose from private to general to lead the premier American armored force to victory.
The Corporate Staff Ride: A Proven Military Training Tool Comes to the Boardroom, Wharton Leadership Digest, January 2006
For more than a century, the "Staff Ride" has been used to train the nation's military leaders. Now it has been adapted by APPLIED BATTLEFIELD CONCEPTS LLC for use by corporations to train top management in the principles of leadership under pressure.
Drawings of Antietam Commanders
"Commanders at Antietam" is a collection of the author's drawings related to ongoing work on the Corporate Staff Ride
Command Failures: Lessons Learned from Lloyd R. Fredendall, Army Magazine, March 2003
Winner, 2003 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award
The Fighting McCooks, Military History Magazine, October 2005
Sixteen of the McCook Family served in the Union Army or Navy during the Civil War. Seven became generals. Four gave the last full measure.
Commodore Thomas Macdonough: Hero of the Barbary Wars, Victor at Lake Champlain, Military Heritage Magazine, October 2004
Thomas Macdonough faced Arab terrorists with steel and musket - in 1804
Russian General Ivan D. Chernyakhovsky, WWII History Magazine, May 2004
Russia's General Ivan Chernyakhovsky achieved a combat record that is virtually unknown in the West.
Fighting Admiral of Guadalcanal, World War II Magazine, May 2004
Daniel Judson Callaghan's heroic sacrifice off Guadalcanal saved the embattled defenders of Henderson Field.
In the Front Ranks of Gallant Men, World War II Magazine, November 2003
Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle's leadership in and out of the cockpit made him one of the most admired men in the Eighth Air Force
The Frustrations of Leonard Wood, Army Magazine, September 2003
The only physician ever to rise to Army Chief of Staff, Leonard Wood's path to success produced as many enemies as admirers.
The Last Battle of Gen. William Orlando Darby, Army Magazine, January 2003
Creator of the modern American Rangers, Darby led his men to great victories and a catastrophic defeat, but was always in the thick of the action.
Martin Blumenson (1918-2005)
Martin Blumenson spent his life writing the history of an institution he respected greatly and knew intimately, the United States Army. He inspired generations of his students and successors to the highest standard of excellence.


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The Last Battle of Gen. William Orlando Darby, Army Magazine, January 2003

Colonel Bill Darby after the defeat at Cisterna, 1944

Killed in action just days before the end of World War II, Bill Darby was a legendary warrior who inspired his men to extraordinary acts. One of the youngest generals in our history, he was the only American officer posthumously promoted to general officer rank during World War II.

"To Steven L. Ossad's excellent January article, "The Last Battle of Gen. William Orlando Darby," I add a footnote. Remnants of the Ranger battalions decimated and destroyed at Cisterna were assigned to Col. (later Maj. Gen.) Robert T. Frederick's 1st Special Service Force, then holding a quarter of the Anzio beachhead perimeter. As a member of that unit I can testify that this augmentation was greatly needed and welcomed. The Rangers easily integrated into the ranks of the force and served with distinction to the end of its short life."
BRIG. GEN. EDWARD H. THOMAS, AUS RET.




MORE ON SPECIAL OPERATIONS DURING WORLD WAR II (From the Center of Military History)
The Conquest of Lake Garda by Task Force Darby, April 1945


MORE ON THE FINAL CAMPAIGN IN ITALY (From the Center of Military History)

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