[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 8, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT BURKE

  (Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
commemorate Private First Class Robert Burke from the United States 
Marine Corps, who gave the ultimate sacrifice 50 years ago during 
Operation Allen Brook in Le Nam, Vietnam. For his bravery, he was 
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. At the age of 18, he is the 
youngest Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam war.
  Private Burke enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1967, while he was 
still a student at Monticello High School in Piatt County, Illinois. He 
was sent to the Republic of Vietnam with India Company of the 3rd 
Battalion, 27th Marines, where he was assigned as a machine gunner. 
During Operation Allen Brook on May 17, 1968, Private Burke and his 
company came under intense fire from the well-concealed North 
Vietnamese. With several of his fellow marines wounded, Private Burke 
spared no time. He immediately used his machine gun to launch several 
one-man assaults against the enemy, allowing upwards of three dozen 
casualties to be evacuated.
  He relentlessly delivered fire to the enemy, even obtaining a 
casualty's rifle when his own malfunctioned. He continued to advance in 
defense of his brothers in arms until he was mortally wounded.
  No words of gratitude can properly express how thankful the American 
people and the Congress are for Private Burke's selfless actions that 
saved the lives of so many. Private Burke gave his life for his friends 
and for his country. He is the truest example of bravery, and I am 
proud to honor him today.

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