Daniel W. Burke
Born	(1841-04-22)April 22, 1841 New Haven, Connecticut
Died	May 29, 1911(1911-05-29) (aged 70) Portland, Oregon
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1858–1899
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	2nd Regiment U.S. Infantry
Commands held	17th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	Battle of Shepherdstown
Awards	Medal of Honor

Daniel Webster Burke (April 22, 1841 – May 29, 1911) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Burke received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Shepherdstown in Virginia on 20 September 1862. He was honored with the award on 21 April 1892.^[1][2]

Biography

Burke was born in New Haven, Connecticut on 22 April 1841. He enlisted into the Army from Connecticut in June 1858.^[3] On 20 September 1862 Burke's unit had retreated across the Potomac during the Battle of Shepherdstown. Upon learning that a piece of artillery remained unspiked and accessible to the enemy, Burke returned in order to spike the gun. Although prevented from successfully completing this task due to heavy fire, Burke was awarded the Medal of Honor for this display of bravery.^[1][4]

Burke was subsequently commissioned a second lieutenant in 1862 with the date of rank being 18 July 1862 and then first lieutenant in July 1863. At the time of his retirement from the army on 21 October 1899 he was a brigadier general.^[5]

He died on 29 May 1911 and his remains are interred at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

Voluntarily attempted to spike a gun in the face of the enemy.^[1][2]