Robert Charles Burke | |
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![]() Robert C. Burke | |
Born | Monticello, Illinois, United States | November 7, 1949
Died | May 17, 1968 Go Noi Island, Quảng Nam Province, South Vietnam | (aged 18)
Buried | Monticello Cemetery, Monticello, Illinois |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1967–1968 |
Rank | Private First Class |
Unit | Company I, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart Military Merit Medal (South Vietnam) Gallantry Cross (South Vietnam) |
Robert Charles Burke (November 7, 1949 – May 17, 1968) was a United States Marine who was killed in action during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Private First Class Burke, at age eighteen, was the youngest Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War.
Burke was born on November 7, 1949, in Monticello, Illinois. While still a student at Monticello High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in Chicago, March 17, 1967. Burke was discharged to enlist in the regular Marine Corps on May 16, 1967.[1]
Upon completion of recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, on July 20, 1967, Burke was transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. He completed individual combat training with Company Q, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment, in August 1967, and was promoted to private first class on September 1, 1967. From September 1967 until January 1968, he was a student with the Motor Transport School, Student Company, Schools Battalion. This was followed by duty as a motor vehicle mechanic with Headquarters and Service Company, 5th Military Police Battalion, 5th Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.[1]
In February 1968, Burke was sent to the Republic of Vietnam where he was assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) as a Machine Gunner. He was killed in action charging enemy positions on May 17, 1968, while on Operation Allen Brook with Company I, in the hamlet of Le Nam, Go Noi Island in Southern Quảng Nam Province.[1]
Burke is buried in Monticello Cemetery, in Monticello, Illinois.[2]
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
/S/ RICHARD M. NIXON
Burke's service ribbons include:
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Medal of Honor | ||
Purple Heart Medal | National Defense Service Medal | Vietnam Service Medal with service star |
Military Merit Medal (South Vietnam) | Gallantry Cross with Palm (South Vietnam) | Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960– bar (South Vietnam) |
The name Robert Charles Burke is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") in Washington, D.C., on Panel 61E, Line 024.[4]
Robert C. Burke Memorial Park in Monticello, Illinois, his hometown, is named in his honor.[5]