This Summers County native was a career military man, serving in the Army and Marines from the Spanish-American War in 1898 until 1937, eventually becoming a major. He was an amazing shot and earned the Marines’ highest award for marksmanship, the Distinguished Marksmen Medal, in 1908.

In 1912, while working as a rifle instructor for the West Virginia National Guard, Burdette was chosen for the U.S. rifle team at the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden. Burdette was the top scorer in the team event, leading the U.S. to a gold medal. He scored 288 of 300 points. This made him the first West Virginian to win an Olympic gold medal, presented to him by King Gustavus V of Sweden.

Later in life, he was honored with the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal for being a "genius in the firing and design of weapons." A road near his birthplace at Sandstone is now named in his honor.