b. 21/12/1877 Achern, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. d. 18/02/1950 Rome, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 05/10/1898 Leech Lake, Minnesota.
Oscar R Burkard MOH
Born in Achern, Germany, he immigrated to the United States in 1895 and joined the US Army at Fort Snelling in April 1898. Assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry, he served as a private in the Hospital Corps and was present as an acting hospital steward at the Battle of Sugar Point on October 5, 1898. During the battle, he rescued several soldiers while under heavy fire from the Pillagers and continued to do so throughout the day. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor “for distinguished bravery in action against hostile Indians” and officially received the award on August 21, 1899.
Seeing service during World War I, he retired at the rank of major on October 31, 1930, and died in Rome, New York on February 18, 1950. He is buried in Rome Cemetery.
MOH CITATION:
For distinguished bravery in action against hostile Indians.
BURIAL LOCATION: ROME CEMETERY, ROME, NEW YORK.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
