American War Grave Oak Hill

This cemetery contains the grave of MOH recipient Elmer John Burr.

World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He posthumously received the award on October 11, 1943 for his actions as a first sergeant in Company I, 127th Infantry Regiment, US Army on December 25, 1942 during the Buna Campaign in New Guinea during World War II. He joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard at age 20, serving in the 32nd Division. When it was federalized in 1940, he was discharged for being over the 28-year age limit but re-enlisted with his unit after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941, which brought the US into World War II. In 1942 he was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations where he participated in training at Australia before being sent to New Guinea, and was killed in combat in Buna at the age of 34. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. During an attack near Buna, New Guinea, on 24 December 1942, 1st Sgt. 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. 1st Sgt. Burr thus gave his life in saving that of his commander."

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