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Devon Community Hero: Col. John R. Burks

On the Thunder’s annual Military Appreciation Night, we paid special tribute to a 92-year old Oklahoma veteran who served his country through three wars spanning four decades: World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

On Dec. 7, 1941, in his hometown of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, John Burks heard on the radio that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. He knew then and there he wanted to serve his country. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve. That launched a 33-year Air Corps and Army career which included three wars and numerous awards and decorations for his service.

In World War II, he flew 40 missions in the Pacific as a gunner on a B-24 bomber. In Korea, he served as a communications officer and artillery battery commander and in Vietnam he was a Deputy Corps Artillery Commander. His military service continued with non-combat roles at the Pentagon until his retirement in 1976.

Last year, Col. Burks was among 82 veterans to take an Oklahoma Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC to visit the country’s war memorials, including the World War II Memorial.