John Roland Burke

Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

John Roland Burke was born on 6 February 1944.

On 6 June 1967, Corporal John Roland Burke was serving with the Scout / Sniper Platoon, Headquarters & Service Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, Corporal Burke was killed in action due to wounds sustained from an explosive device. His body was recovered.

Medals

Navy Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Military Merit Medal
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Navy Cross Citation

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Sniper Team Leader with Headquarters and Service Company, First Battalion, 26th Marines, 3rd 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, Quảng Trị 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.

Honors

The name John R Burke is located on Panel 21E Line 060 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Corporal John Roland Burke is buried at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater, FL.

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