Blanchard in McClain County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Sergeant First Class Tony K. Burris, USA

Congressional Medal of Honor

Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2025

1. Sergeant First Class Tony K. Burris, USA Marker

Inscription. for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy: Sergeant Burris, Infantry, United States Army, a member of Company L. 38th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in the vicinity of Mundung-ni, Korea, on 8 and 9 October, 1951. On 8 October, when his company encountered intense fire from an entrenched hostile force. Sergeant First Class Burris charged forward alone, throwing grenades into the position and destroying approximately fifteen 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. Sergeant First

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Class Burris, refusing evacuation and submitting only to emergency treatment, joined the unit in its renewed attack but fire from hostile emplacement halted the advance. Sergeant First Class Burris rose to his feet, charged forward and destroyed the first emplacement with its heavy machine gun and crew of six 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," Sergeant First Class Burris' indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding heroism, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest glory upon himself, the Infantry, and the United States Army.

2nd Plaque
SFC Tony K. Burris, a member of the Choctaw Tribe, was born in rural Blanchard, Oklahoma on May 30, 1929, to Mable (Curry) and Sammuel Burris, Jr. He was one of ten children. Tony graduated from Blanchard Public Schools in 1947 and was a member of the Blanchard First Baptist Church.

He volunteered

Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2025

2. Sergeant First Class Tony K. Burris, USA Marker

for military service in July of 1950, and received his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and advanced training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After fifteen months in the service of this country, he died a hero's death near Imok-Chong, North Korea. Sergeant Burris was awarded the Purple Heart with Two Oak Clusters and the Silver Star posthumously. The Congressional Medal of Honor was presented to Tony's family by General Omar Bradley on May 9, 1952.

SFC Tony K. Burris (RA 183136674) was interred in the Blanchard Cemetery with full military honors on February 11, 1952.

3rd Plaque
Letter written to family from unknown location in Korea

... I received word from a pretty reliable source the other day that no one from your our regiment will be rotated until this new attack is over with so that will be just that much longer before it becomes my turn... it is so chilly at night - I would hate to spend another winter here.
Love Tony

Western Union
W.P. Marshall, President

KB 039 KWA120 RX Govt pd=fax Washington DC 31, 1951 Oct 31 PM3 05
Mrs Mable A Burris-r
Route 1 Blanchard Okla=

The Secretary of the Army has asked

The view of the statue and memorial from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2025

3. The view of the statue and memorial from across the street

me to express his deep regret that your son Sgt Burris, Tony K, was killed in action in Korea 9 Oct 51 confirming letter follows=

WM E Bengin Major General USA, the Adjutant General of the Army

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant day of the year for for this entry is May 31.

Location. 35° 8.29′ N, 97° 39.482′ W. Memorial is in Blanchard, Oklahoma, in McClain County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and U.S. 62 on North Main Street. The memorial is located in the small road side park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 206 N Main St, Blanchard OK 73010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Chickasaw Nation

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within

Sergeant First Class Tony K. Burris image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - US Army - Wikipedia, circa 1950

4. Sergeant First Class Tony K. Burris

14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A Navy on the Prairie (approx. 12.2 miles away); Norman's Original Cemetery (approx. 12½ miles away); Run of '89 South Boundary (approx. 13.7 miles away); M110A2 Self-Propelled Howitzer (approx. 13.7 miles away); This Boulder Marks the Chisholm Trail (approx. 13.7 miles away).

Also see . . . Tony K. Burris. Wikipedia (Submitted on September 24, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.