TFH 10/8-9: SFC Tony K. Burris, USA

Tony Kenneth Burris was born on May 30, 1929 in Blanchard, Oklahoma. Burris, a Native American and member of the Choctaw Tribe, graduated from high school in Blanchard in 1947. He volunteered for service and enlisted in the United States Army in 1950.

On October 8-9, 1951 in combat with the 38th Infantry Regiment (3rd Battalion, based on company letter), 2nd Infantry Division during the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge in the Korean War, then Sergeant First Class Burris repeatedly charged enemy positions both alone and at the front of his fellow soldiers. His supreme courage and sacrifice was posthumously recognized by the award of the Medal of Honor.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Korean War:


*BURRIS, TONY K.

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 9 October 1951. Entered service at: Blanchard, Okla. Birth: Blanchard, Okla. G.O. No.: 84, 5 September 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.

Blanchard, Oklahoma dedicated a monument to Burris on September 15, 2007. He rests in peace at the Blanchard Cemetery. SFC Burris was also credited with receiving the Silver Star for courage in addition to his Medal of Honor.

Today, 3-38 Infantry is inactive, but the 2nd Infantry Division still forms the bulk of US Army forces in South Korea, where the soldiers of today stand ready to defend our allies against aggression from their Communist northern neighbor.