Lloyd Leslie Burke

Enemy fire pinned the American advance near Chong-dong, Korea, and three bunkers blocked the ground ahead. First Lieutenant Lloyd Leslie Burke left the command post to rally his company. He attacked the positions with grenades, rifle, pistol, and machine gun, continuing after he was wounded. His example drove thirty-five soldiers forward and helped secure the objective on 28 October 1951.

First Lieutenant Lloyd Leslie “Scooter” Burke was leading a small force near Chong-dong, North Korea, when enemy fire pinned his company down in front of three bunkers. On 28 October 1951, he left the command post and advanced toward the positions himself. His Medal of Honor citation describes a series of close assaults in which Burke used grenades, a rifle, his pistol, and finally a light machine gun to break the enemy line and carry his soldiers forward.

From Arkansas to the Korean front

Burke was born in Tichnor, Arkansas, on 29 September 1924, and entered the Army at Stuttgart, Arkansas. He served in Italy during World War II, then returned to combat in Korea with Company G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. By October 1951 he was a first lieutenant and company commander. The force he led that day numbered 35 men, and the ground ahead was dominated by three enemy bunkers.

The Medal of Honor action

Intense fire had stopped the leading American troops as they tried to seize commanding ground. Burke left the command post to rally the soldiers and urged them forward. He ran to an exposed position, threw grenades at the first bunker, then returned for an M1 rifle fitted with a grenade launcher. In a lone assault, he destroyed the position and killed its crew. At the second bunker, he tossed grenades through the opening and fought off enemy soldiers who tried to surround him.

Burke then ordered his men forward against the third emplacement. As enemy grenades flew toward them, he caught and threw them back. The company overran the position but was pinned down again by heavier fire. Burke obtained a light machine gun and three boxes of ammunition, crossed the impact area to an open knoll, and set up the weapon where he could reach the enemy. He fired until the attack faltered, destroying two mortar positions and a machine gun position. Though wounded, he reloaded, then carried the machine gun forward as he led his men to secure the objective. The Army citation credits his action with inspiring the small force and helping it overcome an enemy attack. President Harry Truman presented Burke the Medal of Honor in April 1952.

Vietnam and service after combat

Burke continued to serve through three wars and more than three decades in uniform. In Vietnam he commanded an infantry battalion and was severely wounded while leading operations. After recovering, he served in Germany and later became the Army's chief liaison to the House of Representatives. He retired as a colonel in 1978. Away from active duty, he worked in public affairs and helped build support for the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington.

The Medal of Honor marks one day, but Burke's career included service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, followed by years of work on behalf of soldiers and veterans. Lloyd Leslie Burke died in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on 1 June 1999, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.