George Ritter Burnett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Ritter Burnett
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| Born | April 23, 1858 Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania |
| Died | November 1, 1908 (aged 50) Lincoln, Nebraska |
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Iowa National Guard Missouri National Guard |
| Years of service | 1880–1891 (Army) 1892–1908 (National Guard) |
| Rank | First Lieutenant (Army) Colonel (National Guard) |
| Battles/wars | Indian Wars |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
George Ritter Burnett (April 23, 1858 – November 1, 1908) was a United States Army officer who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
Life and career
Burnett graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1880. On August 16, 1881, he was serving as a second lieutenant with the 9th Cavalry Regiment of the Buffalo Soldiers. On that day, Burnett participated in the Battle of Cuchillo Negro Creek in the Black Range Mountains near Cuchillo Negro Creek of New Mexico, where he was cited for helping rescue stranded soldiers under heavy fire. One of his privates, Augustus Walley, and a first sergeant, Moses Williams also received the Medal of Honor for actions in this battle. He retired due to injuries in February 1891. He subsequently served as a colonel in the Iowa National Guard from 1892 until 1905, and in the Missouri National Guard from 1905 until 1908.
Burnett served as United States Vice Consul and Acting Consul in Kehl, Baden, Germany from September 1905 to March 1907. He also worked at many military preparatory schools.
