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Personal info

Full name
BURKHARDT, Robert Harold
Date of birth
26 March 1923
Age
22
Place of birth
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
33588198
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
A Company,
1st Battalion,
120th Infantry Regiment,
30th Infantry Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
4 April 1945
Place of death
In the vicinity of Augustdorf - Oerlingshausen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
D 16 15

Immediate family

Members
William C. Burkhardt (father)
Helen I. (Lohmiller) Burkhardt (mother)
Helen M. Burkhardt (sister)
Dorothy E. Burkhardt (sister)
Williem C. Burkhardt (brother)
Marlyn R. Burkhardt (sister)

More information

Pfc Robert H. Burkhardt enlisted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 26 February 1943.

Pfc Burkhardt could see three German riflemen at a distance of seventy yards bringing enfilade fire upon his buddies. From his prone position with a perfect sight upon them, he began to fire steadily at them.

While he was diverting the enemy, the other men in his group crawled back to the concealment of the woods and to safety. Realizing the hopelessness of trying to continue forward, the platoon sought permission to withdraw, and it was granted. Meanwhile two machine guns on his left and to his front began concentrating on Pfc Burkhardt's position. He continued to fire. A few seconds later he was killed by a burst.

Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - WWII Enlistment Record, www.oldhickory30th.com, www.30thinfantry.org

Photo source: www.ancestry.com - Paul Middour, www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet