Burr, Herbert Hoover “Doc” born 13-09-1920 in Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA, to Maurice E.C. Burr (1874-952) and his wife Edna B. born Thompson Burr (1878–1957). Herbert had one sister and five brothers, Blanche Beatrice Burr Smith (1911-2001), William Randolph Burr (1904–1964), Newell Lot Burr ( 1906-1973), Victor Maurice Burr (1908–1964), Wayne Dudley Burr (1913–1969) and Hector McGrail Burr ( 1914–1996).
Herbert joined the Army from Kansas City, Missouri, and by 19-03-1945, was serving as a staff sergeant in Company C, 41st Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division. under command of Brigadier General Charles S. Kilburn, “Rattlesnake Pete”, “Pete Kilburn”.,
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Herbert Burr received the award from US President Harry Shipp Truman on 23-08-1945 in the East Room of the White House (along with 27 other World War II recipients), Washington DC, for his actions as a Private First Class in Company C, 41st Tank Battalion. on 19-03-1945, near Dorrmoschel, Germany during the final stages of World War II in Europe. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he also received the World War II Victory Medal , the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the American Campaign Medal. His Medal of Honor citation reads: “He displayed conspicuous gallantry during action when the tank in which Herbert was bow gunner was hit by an enemy rocket, on 15-01-1945, which severely wounded the platoon sergeant and forced the remainder of the crew to abandon the vehicle. Burr’s tank was hit by anti-tank gun fire. The Tank commander, Sergeant Jon M. Jones, and gunner, Corperol Robert L. Roth were killed, and the loader was seriously injured. The tank caught on fire and began to burn. Deafened, but otherwise unhurt, S/Sgt. Burr immediately climbed into the driver’s seat and continued on the mission of entering the town to reconnoiter road conditions. As he rounded a turn he encountered an 88-mm. antitank gun at pointblank range. Realizing that he had no crew, no one to man the tank’s guns, he heroically chose to disregard his personal safety in a direct charge on the German weapon. At considerable speed he headed straight for the loaded gun, which was fully manned by enemy troops who had only to pull the lanyard to send a shell into his vehicle. So unexpected and daring was his assault that he was able to drive his tank completely over the gun, demolishing it and causing its crew to flee in confusion. He then skillfully sideswiped a large truck, overturned it, and wheeling his lumbering vehicle, returned to his company. When medical personnel who had been summoned to treat the wounded sergeant could not locate him, the valiant soldier ran through a hail of sniper fire to direct them to his stricken comrade. The bold, fearless determination of S/Sgt. Burr, his skill and courageous devotion to duty, resulted in the completion of his mission in the face of seemingly impossible odds.”
Death and burial ground of Burr, Herbert Hoover “Doc”.
Burr was discharged from the Army after the war and returned to Kansas City. He and his wife went on to have three sons and a daughter. Burr worked in construction and as a painter for the federal government until he retired in 1986. He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the 11th Armored Division Association and was content to live a quiet life, according to a 1984 Kansas City Times article. Burr’s son, Jack, said his father didn’t like to talk about the war much and loved fishing.
Burr moved to Urbana, Missouri, in 1988. He died two years later, on 08-02-1990, age 69, at a hospital near his home. He was buried at Mount Washington Cemetery in Independence, Missouri.
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