In 1899, he received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Sugar Point.

Aside from being the only non-combatant to be decorated from that engagement, Burkard was also the last man to receive the medal during the Indian Wars.

[1][2][3] Born in Achern, Germany, he immigrated to the United States in 1895 and joined the US Army at Fort Snelling in April 1898.

During the battle, he rescued several soldiers while under heavy fire from the Pillagers and continued to do so throughout the day.

[5] Seeing service during World War I, he retired at the rank of major on October 31, 1930, and died in Rome, New York on February 18, 1950.