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, on 3 October 1862. He was honored with the award on 27 July 1896.

Biography

Burbank was born as Reinder Jilderts in Stavoren, Netherlands, on 5 January 1838, and emigrated to the United States. He enlisted in the 1st Rhode Island Volunteers on 16 April 1861 at Providence, Rhode Island. He was promoted to second sergeant and later served as a non-commissioned first sergeant. Burbank served an 11-month 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. In October 1862, he was aboard the USS Commodore Perry at Blackwater River, near Franklin, Virginia. He served with outstanding bravery despite heavy fire and thirteen shots piercing his coat.
Following the war, Burbank married Mary A. Burns, who had emigrated from Glasgow, Scotland, and they resided in Rhode Island. He subsequently moved to Missouri and then to Kansas. Together, they had seven children.