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name
BURKE, Thomas Vogel - Date of
birth
17 October 1921 -
Age
23 -
Place of birth
Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine -
Hometown
Washington, District of Columbia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-554140 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Platoon Commander -
Unit
K Company,
3rd Battalion,
345th Infantry Regiment,
87th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
9 January 1945 - Place of
death
Bonnerue, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 9 | 40 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Leo P. Burke (father)
Lilian D. Burke (mother)
John L. Burke (brother)
Roberta Burke (sister)
More information
2nd Lt Thomas V. Burke attended Davidson College for two years.He joined the Army in Davidson, North Carolina on 15 September 1942 and was sent overseas in October, 1944.
The leading element of the column was commanded by 2nd Lt Thomas V. Burke who led his men to within fifty yards of the first enemy entrenchment despite an intense concentration of small arms fire from the position. Assuring himself that all was in readiness, he gave the signal to assault the enemy and drive them from their holes. Lt Burke leaped forward, to lead the attack, setting an heroic example for his men. With such enthusiasm did his men follow him, that they killed or captured two officers and fifty enlisted men. As they rushed in however, Lt Burke was struck down and killed.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Grand Failly, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Maine Birth Records / 1930 Census, www.87thinfantrydivision.com, www.findagrave.com, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Luxembourg American Cemetery, Davidson College 1942, Storiesbehindthestars.org