John Roland Burke
Corporal John Roland Burke (February 6, 1944 — June 6, 1967) was a sniper in the United States Marine Corps in the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines. For his actions he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross after he was killed by the enemy at Khe Sanh Quang Tri in South Vietnam. He once acted as sniper Carlos Hathcock's spotter.
John Roland Burke | |
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| Born | February 6, 1944 Clearwater, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | June 6, 1967 (aged 23) Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam |
| Place of burial | Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park in Clearwater, Florida, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  |
| Service/ |  |
| Years of service | 1965–1967 |
| Rank |  Corporal |
| Unit | 1st Battalion 26th Marines |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Cross Purple Heart |
Awards & decorations
Military awards
Corporal John Roland Burke military awards as follows
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| Navy Cross | ||
| Purple Heart w/ 2 service stars | Combat Action Ribbon | Navy Presidential Unit Citation |
| National Defense Service Medal | Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 service stars | Vietnam Military Merit Medal |
| Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation w/ palm | Vietnam Civic Action Medal w/ palm | Vietnam Campaign Medal |
=Navy Cross citation
John Roland Burke Was given the navy cross for 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.