Joseph Burger (April 16, 1848 – January 2, 1921) was an

Austrian German Austrian German (german: Österreichisches Deutsch), Austrian Standard German (ASG), Standard Austrian German (), or Austrian High German (), is the variety of Standard German written and spoken in Austria. It has the highest sociolinguistic p ...

soldier who fought in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...

. Burger received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...

, for heroism during combat at

Nolensville, Tennessee Nolensville is a town in Williamson County, Tennessee. Its population was 13,829 at the 2020 census. It was established in 1797 by William Nolen, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War. Located in Middle Tennessee, it is about 22 miles south ...

on February 15, 1863, when Burger was 14 years of age. He was honored with the award on September 11, 1897.

Biography

Burger was born in Tyrol,

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

on April 16, 1848. He emigrated with his parents to the United States as an infant. He was orphaned at age 6, following the death of his parents from cholera. He enlisted into the 2nd Minnesota Infantry as a drummer boy at age 13. He was commissioned a captain at age 16, becoming one of the youngest men to attain that rank during the Civil War. He died in St. Paul on January 2, 1921, and his remains are interred at Oakland Cemetery in Minnesota. His grandson,

Warren Burger Warren Earl Burger (September 17, 1907 – June 25, 1995) was an American attorney and jurist who served as the 15th chief justice of the United States from 1969 to 1986. Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Burger graduated from the St. Paul Colleg ...

served as Chief Justice of the United States from 1969 to 1986.

Medal of Honor citation

References

External links

Joseph Burger
findagrave.com. Portrait of Joseph Burger and photograph of gravestone. {{DEFAULTSORT:Burger, Joseph 1848 births 1921 deaths Emigrants from the Austrian Empire to the United States American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor German-born Medal of Honor recipients People of Minnesota in the American Civil War Union Army soldiers United States Army Medal of Honor recipients

Biography

Medal of Honor citation

See also

References

External links