Elmer J. Burr

Infobox Military Person
name=Elmer J. Burr
born=birth date|1908|5|11
died=death date and age|1942|12|25|1908|5|11
placeofbirth=Neenah, Wisconsin
placeofdeath=Buna, New Guinea
placeofburial= Oak Hill Cemetery Neenah, Wisconsin


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=First Sergeant
commands=
unit=127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division
battles=World War II
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Elmer J. Burr (May 11, 1908 – December 25, 1942) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Biography

Burr joined the Army from Menasha, Wisconsin, and by December 24, 1942 was serving as a first sergeant in Company I, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. On that day, in Buna, New Guinea, he smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. He died of his wounds the next day. For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on October 11, 1943.

Burr, aged 34 at his death, was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in his birth place of Neenah, Wisconsin.

Medal of Honor citation

First Sergeant Burr's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. During an attack near Buna, New Guinea, on December 24, 1942, 1st Sgt. Burr saw an enemy grenade strike near his company commander. Instantly and with heroic self-sacrifice he threw himself upon it, smothering the explosion with his body. 1st Sgt. Burr thus gave his life in saving that of his commander.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

References

*findagrave|7529491 Retrieved on 2008-02-22

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (A-F)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16, 2007
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-a-f.html
accessdate = 2008-02-22

Persondata
NAME= Burr, Elmer J.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=