Tony Kenneth Burris

On the ridgelines of Heartbreak Ridge, Sergeant First Class Tony K. Burris continued fighting after being wounded twice, refusing evacuation while his company struggled against heavily fortified enemy positions. Armed with grenades and determined to lead from the front, he repeatedly attacked enemy machine-gun emplacements, exposing himself to devastating fire so that his fellow soldiers could advance. His extraordinary courage during the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge made him one of the Korean War's most distinguished American heroes and earned him the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

Born on 30 May 1929 in Blanchard, Oklahoma, Tony Kenneth Burris was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. Driven by a strong sense of duty, he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army in July 1950. After completing recruit training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and advanced training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he deployed to Korea, where he joined Company L, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

Burris had already demonstrated remarkable battlefield courage before his final action. On 30 July 1951, while serving as a corporal near Taeusan, Korea, he advanced alone against an enemy machine-gun bunker after two platoons of his company had been pinned down by intense fire. Throwing grenades into the position, he entered the bunker and single-handedly eliminated its remaining defenders. He then stood exposed on top of the position, urging his fellow soldiers forward until they overran the enemy defenses. For this extraordinary act of gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star under Headquarters, 2nd Infantry Division, General Orders No. 596, dated 11 October 1951, amended by General Orders No. 108, dated 25 February 1952.

His greatest act of heroism came on 8 and 9 October 1951 during the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge near Mundung-ni, North Korea. When his company encountered intense fire from entrenched enemy positions, Burris charged forward alone, throwing grenades and destroying approximately 15 enemy soldiers. The following day, he spearheaded another assault, continuing to advance despite being wounded twice. Deliberately exposing himself to draw enemy fire, he helped reveal a concealed machine-gun position so it could be destroyed. Refusing evacuation and accepting only emergency treatment, he returned to the attack. He subsequently destroyed an enemy machine-gun emplacement and its six-man crew before moving against another fortified position. Throwing his final grenade to destroy it, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Inspired by his sacrifice, his comrades renewed their assault, overran the remaining enemy positions and secured strategically important Hill 605. For this extraordinary display of conspicuous gallantry and self-sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor under Department of the Army General Orders No. 84, dated 5 September 1952.

His military honours also included the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, recognizing three awards. Tony K. Burris was killed in action on 9 October 1951, aged just 22. His remains were returned to Oklahoma, where he was laid to rest with full military honours at Blanchard Cemetery. In 2007, a memorial dedicated to his life and sacrifice was established in downtown Blanchard, supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars post bearing his name.

The story of Tony K. Burris is one of extraordinary courage, determination and self-sacrifice. From his Choctaw roots in Oklahoma to the battlefields of Korea, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers and his country. His actions at Taeusan and Heartbreak Ridge remain enduring examples of American infantry heroism, ensuring that the name Tony K. Burris and his legacy of service will never be forgotten.