Elmer J. Burr

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Sergeant Elmer J. Burr, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company I, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division. During an attack near Buna, New Guinea, on 24 December 1942, First Sergeant Burr saw an enemy grenade strike near his company commander. Instantly and with heroic self-sacrifice he threw himself upon it, smothering the explosion with his body. First Sergeant Burr thus gave his life in saving that of his commander.