Lloyd Leslie “Scooter” Burke

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Lloyd Leslie “Scooter” Burke (ASN: 0-61246), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chong-don, Korea, on 28 October 1951. Intense enemy fire had pinned down leading elements of his company committed to secure commanding ground when First Lieutenant Burke left the command post to rally and urge the men to follow him toward three bunkers impeding the advance. Dashing to an exposed vantage point he threw several grenades at the bunkers, then, returning for an M1 rifle and adapter, he made a lone assault, wiping out the position and killing the crew. Closing on the center bunker he lobbed grenades through the opening and, with his pistol, killed three of its occupants attempting to surround him. Ordering his men forward he charged the third emplacement, catching several grenades in midair and hurling them back at the enemy. Inspired by his display of valor his men stormed forward, overran the hostile position, but were again pinned down by increased fire. Securing a light machinegun and three boxes of ammunition, First Lieutenant Burke dashed through the impact area to an open knoll, set up his gun and poured a crippling fire into the ranks of the enemy, killing approximately 75. Although wounded, he ordered more ammunition, reloading and destroying two mortar emplacements and a machinegun position with his accurate fire. Cradling the weapon in his arms he then led his men forward, killing some 25 more of the retreating enemy and securing the objective. First Lieutenant Burke’s heroic action and daring exploits inspired his small force of 35 troops. His unflinching courage and outstanding leadership reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lloyd Leslie “Scooter” Burke, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Second Lieutenant Burke distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Samso-ri, Korea, on 26 November 1950. On that date, while Company F was moving toward Sunchon, Korea, contact was made with a strong enemy force that had infiltrated friendly lines and established a roadblock. Ordered to secure possession of a commanding ridge on which the enemy was well entrenched, Lieutenant Burke organized his men and personally led an attack against the enemy position. Blazing fire met the assaulting group and it was forced to fall back. Four times Lieutenant burke heroically rallied his men and with dogged determination led them against the death-spitting ridge, and each time they were forced to fall back because of the withering fire. Spotting the location of an enemy machine-gun position that was the major stumbling block in the attack, Lieutenant Burke crawled forward, heedless of the enemy fire which chewed and churned the dirt around him, until he was within grenade range. Despite the murderous fire now being directed at him, he accurately lobbed several grenades into the machine-gun nest, completely obliterating it. Having eliminated this obstacle, he dauntlessly arose and valiantly led his inspired men in a fifth furious assault on the ridge and successfully secured it.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 253 (May 1, 1951)