Walter Laverte Burke

The database page for Walter Laverte Burke

16 August 2002 REMEMBERED by his comrades in arms from VVA Chapter 421 Lester Modelowitz lmodelowitz@si.rr.com

28 Aug 2002 My name is Edward Behnke and it was Walter Burke who was trying to save me after I was shot through the neck and shoulder. I will never forget Walter Burke. I know that Walter still has a brother and possibly his father is still alive. I would like to sometime meet with them, and would like to hear from family and friends. Edward Behnke eddieandsandie@myway.com Roscommon, Michigan

Notes from The Virtual Wall A fellow Marine, Don Hill, recalls PFC Walter Burke's death: "Near the beginning of Operation Meade River, on November 22, 1968, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines crossed the river -- and lost four Marines KIA, med-evaced seven emergency WIA's, and kept a bunch of wounded hanging around and waiting for a more promising helicopter to get them out. "I'd like to remember Walter Laverte Burke, a young Marine who gave his life while saving the life of Ed Behnke. After Ed had been seriously wounded in the shoulder, neck, and jaw, PFC Burke took him quite aways to a position of relative safety. As Ed scurried over/was pushed over that last elevated rice paddy dike, Burke was shot and killed approximately one foot from safety." Four Marines from Delta 1/1 were killed in action on 22 Nov 1968: SSgt Kenneth A. Baker, New Bedford, MA (Silver Star) Cpl Andrew A. Ruiz, Clovis, CA Pfc Walter L. Burke, New York, NY Pfc Louis A. Taylor, Atlantic City, NJ

The point-of-contact for this memorial is another Vietnam veteran, Lester Modelowitz lmodelowitz@si.rr.com 16 Aug 2002

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 01/09/2008