Tony K. Burris

For the American football player, see Tony Burris (American football).
Tony Kenneth Burris

Medal of Honor recipient
Born May 30, 1929
Blanchard, Oklahoma
Died October 9, 1951 (aged 22)
near Mundung-ni, Korea
Place of burial Blanchard Cemetery, Blanchard, Oklahoma
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service to 1951
Rank Sergeant First Class
Unit 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
Battles/wars Korean War
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Tony Kenneth Burris (May 30, 1929 – October 9, 1951) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 8–9, 1951.

He is buried in Blanchard Cemetery, Blanchard, Oklahoma. His grave can be found at GPS (lat/lon): 35.1591, -97.65226.

Awards and decorations

Burris's awards include:

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division

Place and date: vicinity of Mundung-ni, Korea 8 and October 9, 1951

Entered service at: Blanchard, Okla. Birth: Blanchard, Okla. G.O. No.: 84, September 5, 1952.

Citation:

Sfc. Burris, a member of Company L, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 October, when his company encountered intense fire from an entrenched hostile force, Sfc. Burris charged forward alone, throwing grenades into the position and destroying approximately 15 of the enemy. On the following day, spearheading a renewed assault on enemy positions on the next ridge, he was wounded by machine gun fire but continued the assault, reaching the crest of the ridge ahead of his unit and sustaining a second wound. Calling for a 57mm. recoilless rifle team, he deliberately exposed himself to draw hostile fire and reveal the enemy position. The enemy machine gun emplacement was destroyed. The company then moved forward and prepared to assault other positions on the ridge line. Sfc. Burris, refusing evacuation and submitting only to emergency treatment, joined the unit in its renewed attack but fire from hostile emplacement halted the advance. Sfc. Burris rose to his feet, charged forward and destroyed the first emplacement with its heavy machine gun and crew of 6 men. Moving out to the next emplacement, and throwing his last grenade which destroyed this position, he fell mortally wounded by enemy fire. Inspired by his consummate gallantry, his comrades renewed a spirited assault which overran enemy positions and secured Hill 605, a strategic position in the battle for "Heartbreak Ridge", Sfc. Burris' indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding heroism, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest glory upon himself, the infantry and the U.S. Army.[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ ""TONY K. BURRIS" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.