b. 23/04/1858 Lower Providence, Pennsylvania. d. 01/11/1908 Lincoln, Nebraska.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 16/08/1881 Cuchillo Negro Mountains, Mexico.
Burnett graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1880. On August 16, 1881, he was serving as a Second Lieutenant with the 9th Cavalry Regiment of the Buffalo Soldiers. On that day, Burnett participated in an engagement in the Cuchillo Negro Mountains of New Mexico, where he was cited for helping rescue stranded soldiers under heavy fire. One of his privates, Augustus Walley, also received the Medal of Honor for this action. He retired due to injuries in February 1891. He subsequently served as a Colonel in the Iowa National Guard from 1892 until 1905.
Burnett served as United States Vice Consul and Acting Consul in Kehl, Baden, Germany from September 1905 to March 1907. He also worked at many military preparatory schools.
MOH CITATION:
Saved the life of a dismounted soldier, who was in imminent danger of being cut off, by alone galloping quickly to his assistance under heavy fire and escorting him to a place of safety, his horse being twice shot in this action.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 3, GRAVE 2193-WS
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.