1st Sgt Elmer J. Burr
U.S. Army, 32nd Infantry Division, 127th Infantry Regiment, Company I

Background
Elmer J. Burr was born May 11, 1908 to parents Henry Burr and Ann Luebben Burr in Neenah, Wisconsin. He attended Menasha High School class of 1926 and completed a year of schooling.

Wartime History
On October 15, 1940 he enlisted in the U.S. Army in Menasha, Wisconsin. Assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division (32nd ID) "Red Arrow Division", 127th Infantry Regiment (127th IR), Company I.

On December 24, 1942 during the Battle of Buna 1st Sgt Burr deliberately threw himself atop a Japanese grenade that landed near his company commander and was killed smothering the blast. For his actions, he earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

Medal of Honor
For his actions on December 24, 1942, Burr earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously. During July 1943, his wife informed he earned the Medal of Honor. On October 6, 1943 his widow, Mrs. Lucille Burr was to be presented his Medal of Honor at a ceremony at the White House by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, but instead the presentation was made in Wisconsin. On November 11, 1943 at 11:00am during a ceremony at Patrick School auditorium by Col. William H. McCarty to Mrs. Burr and an audience of several hundred relatives and friends.

Medal of Honor (December 24, 1942 posthumously) "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."

Memorials
Burr was officially declared dead on December 25, 1942. Postwar, his remains were recovered and transported to the United States. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Neenah, WI in Veteran’s Section, Lot 163.

USS Elmer J. Burr was named in his honor built by Walter Butler Shipbuilders Inc. in Duluth, Minnesota and launched June 12, 1944.

The Elmer Burr and Ken Stumpf Scholarship of Honor is named in his honor part of the Brian Laviolette Scholarship Foundation of graduates from Menasha High School, Burr class of 1926 and Stumpf class of 1962.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Elmer J. Burr
The Post-Crescent "War Hero' Widow To Received Medal at White House Oct. 6" September 21, 1943 page 5
The Oshkosh Northwestern "Burr Award Will Not Be Made Unitl Later Date In Fall" October 1, 1943 page 7
The Menasha Record "Medal of Honor To Sgt. Burr" November 11, 1943 page 1
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Elmer J Burr (MOH citation)
FindAGrave - Elmer John Burr (photo, grave photo)

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