Daniel W. Burke

Daniel W. Burke
Born (1841-04-22)April 22, 1841
New Haven, Connecticut
Died May 29, 1911(1911-05-29) (aged 70)
Portland, Oregon
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1858 - 1899
Rank Brigadier General
Unit 2nd Infantry Regiment
Commands held 17th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars Battle of Shepherdstown
Awards Medal of Honor

Daniel Webster Burke (April 22, 1841 to May 29, 1911) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Burke received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Shepherdstown in Virginia on 20 September 1862. He was honored with the award on 21 April 1892.[1][2]

Biography

Burke was born in New Haven, Connecticut on 22 April 1841. He enlisted into the Army from Connecticut in June 1858. [3] On 20 September 1862 Burke's unit had retreated across the Potomac during the Battle of Shepherdstown. Upon learning that a piece of artillery remained unspiked and accessible to the enemy, Burke returned in order to spike the gun. Although prevented from successfully completing this task due to heavy fire, Burke was awarded the Medal of Honor for this display of bravery.[1][4]

Burke was subsequently commissioned a second lieutenant in 1862 with the date of rank being 18 July 1862 and then first lieutenant in July 1863. At the time of his retirement from the army on 21 October 1899 he was a brigadier general.[5]

He died on 29 May 1911 and his remains are interred at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

Voluntarily attempted to spike a gun in the face of the enemy.[1][2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Daniel Webster Burke". Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  3. ↑ Antietam on the Web
  4. ↑ "Medal of Honor for Burke, Daniel W.". Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  5. ↑ Official Army Register for 1909. Washington, D.C.: The Adjutant General's Office. 1 December 1908. p. 446.
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