Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private E. Michael Burk received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 12, 1864 in Spotsylvania, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 125th New York Infantry. Burk was about 17 years old.
34 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 1, 1864.
Burk was born in 1847 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. Burk died on February 3, 1878 in US, at the age of about 31. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Troy, New York. His medal is held by National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, DC. Records also list him as Burke, Michael.
Burk is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Capture of flag, seizing it as his regiment advanced over the enemy's works. He received a bullet wound in the chest while capturing the flag.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
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Timeline
- 1847Born in Ireland
- May 12, 1864Act of valor — Spotsylvania, VirginiaAge about 17. Company D, 125th New York Infantry
- December 1, 1864Medal of Honor presented
- February 3, 1878Died in USAge about 31.
- Resting placeSt. Mary's CemeteryTroy, New York
Biography
Private E. Michael Burk (1847 – February 3, 1878) was an Irish soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Burk received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia on 12 May 1864. He was honored with the award on 1 December 1864.
From the Wikipedia article “E. Michael Burk”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
