First Sergeant Daniel Webster Burke was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 20, 1862 at Shepherdstown Ford, West Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 2d U.S. Infantry. Burke was 21 years old.
The medal was presented on April 21, 1892, 29 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brigadier General.
Burke was born on April 22, 1841 in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut. Burke died on May 29, 1911 in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 70. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Burke is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 57 credited to Connecticut.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Voluntarily attempted to spike a gun in the face of the enemy.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Battle of Shepherdstown.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Connecticut →
Timeline
- April 22, 1841Born in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut
- September 20, 1862Act of valor — Shepherdstown Ford, West VirginiaAge 21. Company B, 2d U.S. Infantry
- April 21, 1892Medal of Honor presented
- May 29, 1911Died in Portland, OregonAge 70.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Daniel Webster Burke (April 22, 1841 – May 29, 1911) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Burke received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Shepherdstown in Virginia on 20 September 1862. He was honored with the award on 21 April 1892.
From the Wikipedia article “Daniel W. Burke”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
