PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
ROBERT C. BURKE, USMC (DECEASED)
 

Medal of Honor Citation 

Robert C. Burke, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in May 1968, was born 7 November 1949, in Monticello, Illinois, and attended Monticello Elementary and High Schools. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in Chicago, Illinois, 17 March 1967, and was discharged to enlist in the regular Marine Corps on 16 May 1967. 

Upon completion of recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, on 20 July 1967, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. He completed individual combat training with Company Q, 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Training Regiment, in August 1967, and was promoted to private first class, 1 September 1967. 

From September 1967 until January 1968, he was a student with the Motor Transport School, Student Company, Schools Battalion. This was followed by duty as a motor vehicle mechanic with Headquarters and Service Company, 5th Military Police Battalion, 5th Marine Division, Camp Pendleton. 

In February 1968, he was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam where he served with Company I, 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was killed in action on 17 May 1968, while on Operation Allen Brook with Company I, in the hamlet of Le Nam, Go Nai Island, Southern Quang Nam Province. 

A complete list of his medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Military Merit Medal, the Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

Vietnam War 1965-1973 Medal of Honor