Dale Alan Burger, Jr.
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Dale Alan Burger Junior's father served as a Marine in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart. He died only months before his son in 2004, and the two are buried side-by-site at Arlington National Cemetery. Before his heroic actions in Iraq, during a training exercise in mountain warfare, several comrades became hypothermic. Selflessly using his own body heat to raise the temperatures of his fellow Marines, an action that resulted in him requiring subsequent medical attention for hypothermia, Cpl Burger was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

From 9 to 14 November 2004, then-Corporal Dale Alan Burger, Jr. was serving as Squad Leader, Company I, Third Battalion, First Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, First Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

During that period, during an intense firefight, Cpl Burger’s squad leader was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion from a rocket-propelled grenade. Realizing the platoon's attack was losing momentum, Cpl Burger immediately assumed the squad leader's responsibilities and quickly directed his fire teams to establish positions in nearby buildings. Displaying leadership and tactical proficiency, Cpl Burger personally led a team to a rooftop and neutralized several enemy sniper positions with accurate fire, enabling the Platoon to regain critical momentum. Despite withering enemy fire and ignoring his personal safety, Cpl Burger employed his M-203 grenade launcher and 2 AT-4 rockets, eliminating enemy insurgents operating in adjacent buildings. Leading the squad in an assault against a large group of insurgents occupying a building, Cpl Burger was seriously wounded and evacuated. Despite his wounds, Cpl Burger volunteered to return to the Platoon 3 days later. During an ensuing firefight, Cpl Burger encountered 3 severely wounded Marines inside a house where numerous insurgents were barricaded behind fortified positions. Under heavy enemy fire, Cpl Burger again charged into the house to recover his fellow Marines. While valiantly returning fire and calling for the wounded Marines, Cpl Burger received enemy fire and fell mortally wounded. Cpl Burger’s bold leadership and courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart with Gold Star
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Dale Allen Burger, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Squad Leader, Company I, Third Battalion, First Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II from 9 to 14 November 2004. During an intense firefight, Corporal Burger's squad leader was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion from a rocket-propelled grenade. Realizing the platoon's attack was losing momentum, Corporal Burger immediately assumed the squad leader's responsibilities and quickly directed his fire teams to establish positions in nearby buildings. Displaying heroic leadership and tactical proficiency, he personally led a team to a rooftop and neutralized several enemy sniper positions with accurate fire, enabling the Platoon to regain critical momentum. Despite withering enemy fire and with total disregard for his personal safety, Corporal Burger employed his M-203 grenade launcher and two AT-4 rockets, eliminating enemy insurgents operating in adjacent buildings. Leading the squad in an assault against a large group of insurgents occupying a building, he was seriously wounded and evacuated. Disregarding his wounds, he volunteered to return to the Platoon three days later. During an ensuing firefight, Corporal Burger encountered three severely wounded Marines inside a house where numerous insurgents were barricaded behind fortified positions. Again disregarding his own safety, and under heavy enemy fire, he charged into the house to recover his fellow Marines. While valiantly returning fire and calling for the wounded Marines, he received enemy fire and fell mortally wounded. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Burger reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Corporal Dale Alan Burger, Jr. is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 54, Site 121.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45401363/dale-alan-burger