FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: John G. Burkhalter ~ January 30, 2012

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

John G. Burkhalter

 Story from this website.

           

Rev. John G. Burkhalter, was a Baptist minister and highly-decorated chaplain who served in World War II and the Korean War. He was part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy at Omaha Beach.

Burkhalter was born in Thomasville, Georgia on July 23, 1909. While an adolescent, he boxed professionally under the name "Jacky Mills," and played on the 1929 Miami High School football team. In 1935, Burkhalter was named senior pastor of the West Flagler Park Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, and married his high school sweetheart, miss Mable Money, the following year.

World War II

Burkhalter enlisted in the United States Army and graduated from the Chaplain’s School at Harvard. In 1943, He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and landed on Omaha Beach on D-day. An account of his experiences was printed in the Miami Daily News on August 6, 1944.  Rev Burkhalter sustained multiple head injuries due to exploding shrapnel during the Battle of the Bulge. He was declared "missing in action" for several weeks before eventually turning up in a French hospital. Burkhalter received a Purple Heart for these deeds. Burkhalter was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and America’s third highest honor, The Silver Star for gallantry. His citation for the Silver Star reads as follows: "For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Haaren, Germany, 21 October 1944. Although constantly subjected to heavy artillery bombardment and several times thrown to the ground by concussion of exploding shells, Chaplain Burkhalter moved about an exposed area and directed the recovery of the bodies of American casualties. Chaplain Burkhalter’s courage and coolness under fire were of great inspiration to all who witnessed his gallant deeds."

 

Korean War

Burkhalter also spent time with the 2nd Infantry Division and would spend a total of 20 months in the European Theater of Operations. On March 22, 1946, Burkhalter was promoted to the rank of Captain and was assigned to an occupational duty in Japan. He stayed in Japan several years until the Korean War escalated. During the Korean War, he served primarily with the 51st Signal Battalion and the 73rd Tank Battalion. While serving near Kumch’on in the summer of 1950, Rev. Burkhalter gained notoriety when his name and a photograph of him conducting a funeral were published in Life Magazine. Burkhalter was promoted to Major during the Korean War and would spend thirteen months in Korea. After the war, Burkhalter would serve in several different posts and entered the US Army Reserves. On July 3, 1969, Burkhalter would officially retire from the United States Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. Some of Burkhalter’s military adventures were recorded in 2000 in the book, “Heroes to Remember” by Brandon R. Sanders

 

Burkhalter held bachelors degrees in history from the University of Miami and divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania. Burkhalter held a Masters degree in history from Stetson University and began doctoral work at American University. He pastored several churches including West Flagler Park Baptist Church in Miami, Van Buren Street Baptist Church in Eastport (1959-1963), Berkley Baptist Church in Mount Royal, N.J. (1963-1967) and Maryland City Baptist Church in Laurel (1967-1968). He founded Temple Baptist Church (renamed Riva Community Bible Church) in Riva, Md. in 1973, and served as pastor there until 1988.

Burkhalter died on September 30, 1992 at the age of 83 and was buried with full military honors on Chaplain’s Hill at Arlington National Cemetery. The burial was carried out by the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and included a military band, American flag draped over the coffin, horse-drawn wagon, 21-gun salute, taps, riderless horse, etc.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[E.G.C.]

((LOL))Whoops, I meant throwing a coffee bucket for him to catch.

:-Everytime he catches it, I give him a treat.

[luvie]

This is what Monday does to a kitty!
Can't we just go back under the covers?
Anywhoooooo, Early Birds,...have a GREAT one!
...and don't work TOO hard! :)
(((((hugs))))

[E.G.C.]

I never throw things at house protection dogs. Bo is my house protection dog. :-D

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, LUV W. How’s it going?

[PROCON]

Morning Beachie!!

Egads, is it already that day? Sheesh, my weekend was too short!

A little rain and a little sun this week on the left coast, nothing out of the ordinary.

And yes, I've noticed that it's getting lighter in the morning too, must be global warming :-) I'm really looking forward to spring too!

Better slurp some more coffee and hit it; you have a scruptious day!

[beachn4fun]

Oh. I was hoping that’s what you meant.

Bet he’s loving that.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning beach and (((HUGS))) to you too.

We had a very nice weekend here. A little windy Saturday, but nice temps.

[beachn4fun]

gotta try for the 50

[beachn4fun]

50?

[beachn4fun]

50?

[beachn4fun]

LOL

Good morning, night owl ((HUGS))

Hope you have a good Monday

once you get down from that tree.

[E.G.C.]

((LOL))Yep, he sure is.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Pro ((HUGS))

Yes, UGH! It is THAT day again. Weekends are way too short, even on the right coast. Maybe we need to add another day to the weekend? Work 5; off 3?

You got some sun this weekend? I saw nothing but rain clouds on the weather map.

I’m ready for spring too! I’m hoping this warm trend continues. Feb & Mar are so unpredictable, weather wise.

Hope your Monday is marvelicious!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Mayor...thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul. ((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning Kathy and (((HUGS))) to you.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Monday, beachy...((HUGS)) from a distance; not feeling up to snuff, but work goes on.

[Old Sarge]

Good Morning, Ladies!

It’s another week starting off in the Sunshine State. Demented Sis and I have a joint project going on, and it’s House Hunting! Sissy is trolling the Web for local properties and finding some beautiful and cheap houses down here.

This weekend I got to watch the Gasparilla Festival and what a blast everyone had! Coming up very soon is the Florida State Fair, and that will be fun too. Big social calendar, you think?

I’ll check in later!

[Kathy in Alaska]

You didn’t break the thread....I started feeling really yucky and took myself and my blankie and pillow to bed. Still under the weather, but gotta work.