James H. Burbank

Sergeant James H. Burbank was a Dutch soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Burbank received the United States highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action at Blackwater, near Franklin, Virginia onOctober 1862. He was honored with the award onJuly 1896.

Burbank was born in Stavoren, Friesland in the Netherlands onJanuary 1838 and migrated to the United States. He enlisted into the 1st Rhode Island Volunteers onApril 1861 at Providence, Rhode Island. He was promoted to second sergeant and later served as a noncommissioned first sergeant. Burbank served anmonth stint with the navy, on detached service. It was during this service that he performed the act of gallantry that earned him the medal of honor. On October 1862 he was aboard the Commodore Perry at Black Water, near Franklin, Virginia. He served with outstanding bravery despite heavy fire and despite thirteen shots piercing his coat.

Source: Wikipedia