Thomas Moffatt Burriss (September 22, 1919 – January 4, 2019) was an American businessman and politician in the state of South Carolina.
Biography
Burriss was born in Anderson, South Carolina and received his bachelor's degree from Clemson University, He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party from 1977 to 1992, representing Richland County, South Carolina. He was a general contractor, and was a veteran of World War II.[1]
World War II
Burriss served in the United States Army and achieved the rank of captain. It was reported that he pointed a gun at a British Tank Commander's head after stopping at a failed assault of a bridge, the British Tank Commander hid on the tank and closed the hatch. He participated in Operation Market Garden and came regularly to the Netherlands for commemorations of World War II. In 2009 he received the Zilveren Stadspenning; an award of the city of Nijmegen. The award was for the 82nd Airborne Division, in which he served.[2] The actions of Burriss and the 82nd Airborne Division in Operation Market Garden was the inspiration for the movie A Bridge Too Far (1977).[3] He wrote his war stories down in his memoir "Strike and Hold".
References
- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov.
- ^ Moffatt Burris, held van de Waaloversteek, overleden, AD.nl, 5 January 2018.
- ^ SC veteran who 'delivered freedom to people around the world' dies Friday, The State, 4 January 2018.
External links
- Vet, 99, who tricked 15,000 German troops into surrendering at once, dies
- Veteran speaks to "Airborne" platoon
- Strike and Hold