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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Sergeant · U.S. Army

Elmer J. Burr

First Sergeant Elmer J. Burr, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on December 24, 1942 in Buna, New Guinea during World War II.

World War II December 24, 1942Posthumous

First Sergeant Elmer J. Burr was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on December 24, 1942 in Buna, New Guinea during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company I, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division. Burr was 34 years old.

Burr was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Burr was born on May 11, 1908 in Neenah, Winnebago County, Wisconsin. His Medal of Honor is credited to Menasha, Winnebago County, Wisconsin. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Neenah, Wisconsin.

Burr is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 50 credited to Wisconsin.

★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. During an attack near Buna, New Guinea, on 24 December 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (December 24, 1942).
  • Age at death: 34
  • Resting place: Oak Hill Cemetery

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II.

Places

  • Born: Neenah — map
  • Died: Buna — map
  • Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Wisconsin →

Timeline

  1. May 11, 1908
    Born in Neenah, Winnebago County, Wisconsin
  2. December 24, 1942
    Act of valor — Buna, New Guinea
    Age 34. Company I, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division Killed in action.
  3. Resting place
    Oak Hill Cemetery
    Neenah, Wisconsin

Biography

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.

From the Wikipedia article “Elmer J. Burr”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on December 24, 1942

KG Kenneth E. Gruennert Sergeant · Army World War II · 1942 ✦

More World War II recipients from Wisconsin

Richard Ira Bong Major · Air Force World War II · 1944 Oscar Verner Peterson Chief Watertender · Navy World War II · 1942 ✦ TO Truman O. Olson Sergeant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ Douglas MacArthur General of the Army · Army World War II · 1941 AM Andrew Miller Staff Sergeant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ Cassin Young Commander · Navy World War II · 1941
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.