U.S. Army Pvt. Oscar Rudolph Burkard enlisted in the military at Hay Creek, Minnesota. Assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry at Fort Snelling, he served as a private in the Hospital Corps.

Army Private Oscar R. Burkard was a German-American soldier who participated in one of the first battles of the Indian Wars and was the last person during the campaign to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Born in Achern, Germany, Burkard immigrated to the United States in 1895 and later enlisted in the Army where he was assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry. During the Battle of Sugar Point, the war’s final battle, Burkard was acting hospital steward with the Hospital Corps. In the midst of the battle, Burkard rescued several soldiers while under heavy fire and continued to do so throughout the day (5 Oct 1898) against the uprising Chippewa Indians.

Burkard was awarded the "Medal of Honor" on 21 August 1899 for his actions on the battlefield.

Saw service during World War I, he retired at the rank of Major.

Oscar Burkard