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 Tony K. Burris - Burris Field - Fort Lewis, Tacoma, WA Posted by:  Hikenutty
N 47° 05.831 W 122° 36.897
10T E 529220 N 5216035
S.F.C. Tony K. Burris, Medal of Honor Awardee, was memorialized by with this memorial stone and the creation of Burris Field. The field no longer exists, however the stone and cannons are still there.
Waymark Code: WM2G9Q
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 10/29/2007
Views: 53
The memorial stone reads:
BURRIS FIELD
Named in honor of S.F.C. Tony K. Burris, Medal of Honor
Co. L, 38th Infantry, U.S. Army
Killed in action
9 October 1951
Near Mung Dung-Ni, Korea
Dedicated 1 June 1957
Sadly the field dedicated to Burris no longer exists. When the interstate cut through the center of Fort Lewis (soon after the Field was dedicated) it passed over the location of the field. The memorial stone was saved however, and it sits in front of the main entrance to the Fort Lewis Military Museum flanked by two Spanish Cannons, circa 1796 and 1798.
Following is his Medal of Honor Citation:
Sfc. Burris, a member of Company L, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 October, when his company encountered intense fire from an entrenched hostile force, Sfc. Burris charged forward alone, throwing grenades into the position and destroying approximately 15 of the enemy. On the following day, spearheading a renewed assault on enemy positions on the next ridge, he was wounded by machine gun fire but continued the assault, reaching the crest of the ridge ahead of his unit and sustaining a second wound. Calling for a 57mm. recoilless rifle team, he deliberately exposed himself to draw hostile fire and reveal the enemy position. The enemy machine gun emplacement was destroyed. The company then moved forward and prepared to assault other positions on the ridge line. Sfc. Burris, refusing evacuation and submitting only to emergency treatment, joined the unit in its renewed attack but fire from hostile emplacement halted the advance. Sfc. Burris rose to his feet, charged forward and destroyed the first emplacement with its heavy machine gun and crew of 6 men. Moving out to the next emplacement, and throwing his last grenade which destroyed this position, he fell mortally wounded by enemy fire. Inspired by his consummate gallantry, his comrades renewed a spirited assault which overran enemy positions and secured Hill 605, a strategic position in the battle for "Heartbreak Ridge", Sfc. Burris' indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding heroism, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest glory upon himself, the infantry and the U.S. Army.
Website pertaining to the memorial: [Web Link]
List if there are any visiting hours:
12-4 Wednesday - Sunday
First must check in at main gate Visitor Center. Bring driver's license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance and your social security number to receive clearance to be on the base.
Entrance fees (if it applies): 0
Type of memorial: Monument
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Visit Instructions:
*(1.)* Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit.
*(2.)* If you have additional information about the memorial which is not listed in the waymark description, please notify the waymark owner to have it added, and please post the information in your visit log.
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