Tony Kenneth Burris
Born(1929-05-30)May 30, 1929
Blanchard, Oklahoma, US
DiedOctober 9, 1951(1951-10-09) (aged 22)
Heartbreak Ridge, Gangwon Province, Korea
Place of burial
Blanchard Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1947–1951
RankSergeant First Class
Unit3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Battles/warsKorean War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Heart
[[Silver Star]]

Tony Kenneth Burris (May 30, 1929 – October 9, 1951) was a Choctaw soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War.[1] He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 8–9, 1951, during the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge.

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:[2]

Badge Combat Infantryman Badge
1st row Medal of Honor
2nd row Purple Heart Army Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal
3rd row Korean Service Medal
with 2 Campaign stars		 United Nations Korea Medal Korean War Service Medal

Medal of Honor citation

Burris Field at Fort Lewis was named in honor of Tony K. Burris.
Tony K. Burris
Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Place and date: vicinity of Mundung-ni, Korea 8-9 October 1951
Entered service at: Blanchard, Okla. Birth: Blanchard, Okla.
G.O. No.: 84, September 5, 1952.

Citation:

A light blue neck ribbon with a gold star shaped medallion hanging from it. The ribbon is similar in shape to a bowtie with 13 white stars in the center of the ribbon.

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.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tony Burris remembered as Korean War hero". choctawnation.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Burris, Tony, Kenneth, SFC". army.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  3. ↑ ""TONY K. BURRIS" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
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