Tuesday, August 21, 2012

On This Date in Minnesota History: August 21

August 21, 1899 - Oscar R. Burkard “received the [Congressional] Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Sugar Point,”1 often referred to as “the Battle of Leech Lake, [which] was fought on October 5, 1898, between the 3rd U.S. Infantry and members of the Pillager Band of Chippewa Indians”2 on the Leech Lake Reservation in Cass County, Minnesota. A private in the Hospital Corps, he rescued several soldiers while under heavy fire from the Pillagers and continued to do so throughout the battle.
Burkard was awarded the Medal of Honor "’for distinguished bravery in action against hostile Indians.’  Aside from being the only non-combatant to be decorated from that engagement, Burkard was also the last man to receive the medal during the Indian Wars.”1
1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Burkard
2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sugar_Point



Oscar R. Burkard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oscar_Burkard.jpg

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