Rank: Sergeant First Class
Unit: A Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
Awards: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 23-Feb-1942
Hometown:
Marital status: Married to Shirley A. Burton, one daughter
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 26-Jan-1959
Start of tour: 8-Aug-1968
Incident date: 13-Apr-1969
Date of casualty: 13-Apr-1969
Age at death: 27
Cause of death: Hostile, Died. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Harry Payne Burton was killed while commander of military vehicle on a combat operation when encountered a hostile force. / Track command of Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV) on combat operation when hit by fragments from hostile small arms fire.
Ten Blackhorse troopers died as a result of this incident:
SP4 Larry Bruce Barfield
SP4 Robert Jay Brinkman
SFC Harry Payne Burton Jr
SP4 Charles Chandler
SP4 Gary John Dasher
SSG Harold Lee Greever
SP4 Kenneth Vern Jensen
SGT Bruce Ervin Johnson
SGT Terry Edward Jones
SGT Joseph Anthony Oreto
Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam, XT 428 557
Place of interment: Baltimore National Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS HARRY PAYNE BURTON
23 FEBRUARY 1969
A TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Sergeant First Class Burton distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 23 February 1969 while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while the troop was assaulting an enemy force, Sergeant Burton observed a four-man rocket-propelled grenade team preparing to fire at a nearby vehicle. Disregarding his own safety, he stood up in full view of the enemy team and threw several grenades at them. The four enemy soldiers were killed instantly, and the threatened vehicle was saved from almost certain destruction. During the remainder of the battle, Sergeant Burton repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy fire while directing his platoon with hand signals. As the troop completed its rout of the hostile force, he me de certain that all friendly casualties received immediate aid and were evacuated as soon as possible. Sergeant First Class Burton’s courageous leadership and concern for the welfare of his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 1314 (27 May 1969)
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
PLATOON SERGEANT HARRY PAYNE BURTON
11 JANUARY 1969
A TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Platoon Sergeant Burton distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 11 January 1969 while serving with the 2d Platoon, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date when the 2d Platoon suddenly encountered a deluge of enemy small arms, automatic weapons and antitank grenade fire from their rear and both flanks, three of the assault vehicles were hit and many casualties sustained. Sergeant Burton moved among his men, directing their fire, administering first aid, and directed his own fire upon the enemy forces. When the reaction force of four tanks arrived, he aided in directing their suppressive fire. When he observed two enemy soldiers attempting to assault a disabled tank, he completely exposed himself to the intense enemy fire by dashing 50 meters through open terrain in order to engage the enemy elements. After personally killing both North Vietnamese soldiers, Sergeant Burton mounted the tank and made a sweep of the area, capturing another enemy. He then dismounted the tank and personally carried two of his wounded comrades through a hail of enemy fire to an evacuation point. Platoon Sergeant Burton’s dedication to duty, complete disregard for his personal safety, and deep concern for the lives and welfare of his comrades were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 786 (26 March 1969)
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
PLATOON SERGEANT HARRY PAYNE BURTON
28 NOVEMBER 1968
A TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Platoon Sergeant Burton distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 25 November 1968 while with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the vicinity of Phu Loi, Troop A was conducting a mounted road clearing operation when suddenly one of the unit’s assault vehicles detonated an antitank mine causing the vehicle to burst into flames. Completely disregarding the possibility of additional antitank mines in the area, Sergeant Burton dismounted his vehicle and dashed to the aid of his wounded comrades. Upon reaching the heavily damaged assault vehicle, he braved the intense heat and dense smoke to assist his fellow troopers in freeing one of the vehicle’s crewmen who had been trapped under the burning assault vehicle. Platoon Sergeant Burton’s unwavering devotion to duty, disregard of personal safety and deep concern for the welfare of his comrades in arms were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 355 (26 February 1969)