Tony K. Burris

Sergeant First Class Tony K. Burris US Army was born in Blanchard, Oklahoma, 30 May 1929. In July 1950 he voluntarily enlisted into the US Army to serve his country during the Korean War. He received Recruit Training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and completed Advanced Training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He was then ordered to Korea and there joined Company L, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

He distinguished himself on 8 and 9 October 1951 when his company encountered intense fire from an entrenched enemy force. On 9 October 1951 in the "Punchbowl" area, after securing Hill 605 near Imok-Chong, North Korea, also known as "Heartbreak Ridge," he was killed in action. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He was also awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He is buried in the Blanchard Cemetery.