Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Civil War as a 1st Sergeant in Company B, 2nd United States Regular Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Shepherdstown Ford, Virginia, on September 20, 1862. His citation reads “Voluntarily attempted to spike a gun in the face of the enemy”. During a retreat of a small Union force in the face of a larger Rebel one, a number of artillery pieces had been abandoned and rendered unusable. However, one gun was overlooked. Sergeant Burke volunteered to try to spike it, which he proceeded to attempt to do heedless of the Confederates, who were trying to prevent him from achieving his task. When the fire became too great, he reluctantly returned to the Union lines without being able to disable the gun after repeated attempts. However, he was warmly commended by his superior officers for his coolness and bravery. Later in the War he was commissioned as an 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army, and was awarded brevets of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel for his gallantry during the Battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded in the fighting in the Wheatfield area. He remained in the Army after the War, retiring with the rank of Brigadier General in 1899. His Medal was awarded to him on April 21, 1892.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Civil War as a 1st Sergeant in Company B, 2nd United States Regular Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Shepherdstown Ford, Virginia, on September 20, 1862. His citation reads “Voluntarily attempted to spike a gun in the face of the enemy”. During a retreat of a small Union force in the face of a larger Rebel one, a number of artillery pieces had been abandoned and rendered unusable. However, one gun was overlooked. Sergeant Burke volunteered to try to spike it, which he proceeded to attempt to do heedless of the Confederates, who were trying to prevent him from achieving his task. When the fire became too great, he reluctantly returned to the Union lines without being able to disable the gun after repeated attempts. However, he was warmly commended by his superior officers for his coolness and bravery. Later in the War he was commissioned as an 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army, and was awarded brevets of Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel for his gallantry during the Battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded in the fighting in the Wheatfield area. He remained in the Army after the War, retiring with the rank of Brigadier General in 1899. His Medal was awarded to him on April 21, 1892.
Bio by: RPD2
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