Korean War
| Service # | 18313674 |
|---|---|
| Rank | Sergeant First Class U.S. Army |
| Date of Death | October 9 1951 |
Combat Infantryman Badge
Korean Service Medal
Medal of Honor (Army)
National Defense Service Medal
Purple Heart
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
For his leadership and great valor, Sergeant First Class Burris was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Notes
Sergeant First Class Burris was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in Korea on February 12, 1951 and returned to duty on March 29, 1951. When attacking enemy positions at "Heartbreak Ridge" near Mundung-ni, North Korea on October, 8 1951, he singlehandedly charged forward killing 15 enemy soldiers. The next day, he exposed himself to enemy fire so its position could be discovered and destroyed. Although seriously wounded, he attacked, expended his last grenade and fell to the ground.