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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

Joseph Burger

Private Joseph Burger, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on February 15, 1863 in Nolensville, Tennessee during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War February 15, 1863Born in Austria

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Joseph Burger received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 15, 1863 in Nolensville, Tennessee during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company H, 2d Minnesota Infantry. Burger was 14 years old.

7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 11, 1897, 34 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.

Burger was born on April 16, 1848 in Austria or Swiss Tyrol — one of 6 recipients born in Austria. His Medal of Honor is credited to Crystal Lake, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Burger died on January 3, 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the age of 72. He is buried at Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul, Minnesota. His medal is held by Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, Little Falls, MN.

Burger is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 45 credited to Minnesota.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Was one of a detachment of 16 men who heroically defended a wagon train against the attack of 125 cavalry, repulsed the attack, and saved the train.

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

Life beyond the battlefield

  • Offices held: member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
  • Occupations: politician

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Bludenz — map
  • Died: Saint Paul — map
  • Buried: Oakland Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Minnesota →

Timeline

  1. April 16, 1848
    Born in Austria or Swiss Tyrol
  2. February 15, 1863
    Act of valor — Nolensville, Tennessee
    Age 14. Company H, 2d Minnesota Infantry
  3. September 11, 1897
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. January 3, 1921
    Died in St. Paul, Minnesota
    Age 72.
  5. Resting place
    Oakland Cemetery
    St. Paul, Minnesota

Biography

Joseph Burger (April 16, 1848 – January 2, 1921) was an Austrian German soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Burger received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for heroism during combat at Nolensville, Tennessee on February 15, 1863, when Burger was 14 years of age. He was honored with the award on September 11, 1897.

From the Wikipedia article “Joseph Burger (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on February 15, 1863

WC William A. Clark Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 JF James Flannigan Private · Army Civil War · 1863 MH Milton Hanna Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 LH Lovilo N. Holmes First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 BP Byron E. Pay Private · Army Civil War · 1863 JV John Vale Private · Army Civil War · 1863 SW Samuel Wright Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863

More Civil War recipients from Minnesota

JM John G. Merritt Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1861 Alonzo H. Pickle Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 AR Axel Hayford Reed Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 Henry D. O'Brien Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 Thomas Parke Gere First Lieutenant & Adjutant · Army Civil War · 1864 MS Marshall Sherman Private · Army Civil War · 1863
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.