John and I attended Skycrest Elementary School and we were buddies after school with Harry Stowers and Jimmy Page. If I recall correctly, Kathy Skinner lived near him. He was an All American boy who was probably the one I would that I would have guessed would be the hero that he turned out to be. Too young to be taken but one of the few that actually made a great difference in the many other lives that were given a chance to live on because of his selflessness and bravery. No one could pitch a softball faster.
John was a great friend, we had a lot of laughs, one summer project was building a bike for two, we took two 20 inch bikes, took the front wheel of one and bolted it to the back of another. It worked fine going straight, but a sharp turn near Crest lake put us both in the dust. I think of him often and boy could he play a harmonica.
John was one of my best friends and we had some great times together. Double dating, Stars Spectaculars at the Clw. auditorium, the Gulf to Bay drive-in, and lots of laughing at practically anything. We kept in contact and wrote back and forth while he was in Vietnam. I still have his letters and still read them. He was under the most adverse of conditions most of the time and never complained about it. He unselfishly gave his life to save others and was a true hero. Its been 45 years and I still miss him.
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Sniper Team Leader with Headquarters and Service Company, First Battalion, 26th Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 June 1967. Assigned the mission of defending an outpost on Hill 950 at Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province, Corporal Burke's team was taken under attack by a numerically superior enemy force. During the initial assault, Corporal Burke was wounded by an enemy grenade. Ignoring his wound, he administered first aid to a severely wounded comrade and placed him in a relatively safe position, covering the wounded man with his own body to protect him from further injury. Heeding a call for help from outside the bunker, he unhesitatingly went to the aid of another Marine. While he and a companion were moving the man to the security of the bunker an enemy grenade exploded, knocking him and his comrade into the bunker. Although seriously wounded, he moved the wounded man to a tunnel to protect him from the devastating enemy fire. With all his team members casualties, Corporal Burke unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety armed himself with grenades, and shouting words of encouragement to his men, stormed from the bunker in a valiant one-man assault against the enemy positions. While firing his weapon and throwing grenades at the enemy positions, Corporal Burke was mortally wounded. By his dauntless courage, bold initiative and devotion to duty, he was instrumental in stopping the enemy attack and saving his men from possible further injury or death, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Marine Corps and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
My wife and I visited the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall when it stopped in Jefferson City, Missouri, in late September 2015. The Wall was situated on the South lawn of the State Capital. We went to see the names of those we had known now enshrined on the Wall. I went specifically for John Burke. It was a moving experience for us both. Thank you for your service, John.
Carlton "Todd" Hill
http://www.virtualwall.org/db/BurkeJR01a.htm
Carlton "Todd" Hill
John died for his country and was every bit a hero.. Check out website...
Christopher Kallivokas
John and I attended Skycrest Elementary School and we were buddies after school with Harry Stowers and Jimmy Page. If I recall correctly, Kathy Skinner lived near him. He was an All American boy who was probably the one I would that I would have guessed would be the hero that he turned out to be. Too young to be taken but one of the few that actually made a great difference in the many other lives that were given a chance to live on because of his selflessness and bravery. No one could pitch a softball faster.
Dwight "Mason" Allen
John was a great friend, we had a lot of laughs, one summer project was building a bike for two, we took two 20 inch bikes, took the front wheel of one and bolted it to the back of another. It worked fine going straight, but a sharp turn near Crest lake put us both in the dust. I think of him often and boy could he play a harmonica.
John (Eddie) Rush
John was one of my best friends and we had some great times together. Double dating, Stars Spectaculars at the Clw. auditorium, the Gulf to Bay drive-in, and lots of laughing at practically anything. We kept in contact and wrote back and forth while he was in Vietnam. I still have his letters and still read them. He was under the most adverse of conditions most of the time and never complained about it. He unselfishly gave his life to save others and was a true hero. Its been 45 years and I still miss him.
Bob Harris
I copied this from the Virtual Wall.
CITATION
FOR AWARD OF THE
NAVY CROSS
TO
CORPORAL JOHN ROLAND BURKE, USMC
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Sniper Team Leader with Headquarters and Service Company, First Battalion, 26th Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 June 1967. Assigned the mission of defending an outpost on Hill 950 at Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province, Corporal Burke's team was taken under attack by a numerically superior enemy force. During the initial assault, Corporal Burke was wounded by an enemy grenade. Ignoring his wound, he administered first aid to a severely wounded comrade and placed him in a relatively safe position, covering the wounded man with his own body to protect him from further injury. Heeding a call for help from outside the bunker, he unhesitatingly went to the aid of another Marine. While he and a companion were moving the man to the security of the bunker an enemy grenade exploded, knocking him and his comrade into the bunker. Although seriously wounded, he moved the wounded man to a tunnel to protect him from the devastating enemy fire. With all his team members casualties, Corporal Burke unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety armed himself with grenades, and shouting words of encouragement to his men, stormed from the bunker in a valiant one-man assault against the enemy positions. While firing his weapon and throwing grenades at the enemy positions, Corporal Burke was mortally wounded. By his dauntless courage, bold initiative and devotion to duty, he was instrumental in stopping the enemy attack and saving his men from possible further injury or death, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Marine Corps and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Harold (Doug) Hartman
My wife and I visited the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall when it stopped in Jefferson City, Missouri, in late September 2015. The Wall was situated on the South lawn of the State Capital. We went to see the names of those we had known now enshrined on the Wall. I went specifically for John Burke. It was a moving experience for us both. Thank you for your service, John.
Capt. and Mrs. Doug Hartman
Shirley Bowes (Johnson)
RIP, dear friend. I’m so sorry you were taken to heaven so soon.