Oscar was born on the 6th of October, 1873 in Jersey City, New Jersey and he enlisted in the US Marine Corps at the age of 22 in August of 1896. Less than two years later, Oscar was a Private and his actions during the Spanish-American War earned him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Field set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

Oscar Wadsworth Field died on the 5th of January, 1912 at the age of 38 and is buried in the Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio: section Q, row A, grave 9.