The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant George Ritter Burnett, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 16 August 1881, while serving with 9th U.S. Cavalry, in action at Cuchillo Negro Mountains, New Mexico. Second Lieutenant Burnett saved the life of a dismounted soldier, who was in imminent danger of being cut off, by alone galloping quickly to his assistance under heavy fire and escorting him to a place of safety, his horse being twice shot in this action.