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Last Name: ` BURKE	First Name Middle Initial: VIRGIL L.		Nick Name: BUZZ
Street: 3000 LYDIA	City & State: TOPEKA, KS		E-Mail:
Zip: 66614	Phone: (785) 272-2540		Spouse: IRMA D
Conflict: WWII	Service Branch: Army Air Corp		Unit: 515TH BOMB SQUADRON-376TH BOMB GROUP
Theater: ETO	Where Captured: ADRIATIC SEA		Date Captured: 12/28/43
Camps Held In: STALAG LUFT I			How Long Interned: 490 days
liberated / repatriated: liberated	Date Liberated: 05/01/45		Age at Capture: 24
Medals Received: SILVER STAR, AIR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART
Military Job: PILOT		Company: LINDYKUGEL & SONS
Occupation after War: BUILT ROADS AND DAMS

Military Bio:

MY HUSBAND LT. COL. VIRGIL BURKE WAS A B-24 BOMBER PILOT IN THE 515TH BOMB SQUADRON-376TH BOMB GROUP IN THE 15TH A.A.F. IN WORLD WAR II. HE WAS SHOT DOWN RETURNING FROM A MISSION OVER REGENBER, GERMANY IN DECEMBER 1943, THIS WAS HIS 25TH MISSION, HE WAS THEN SENT STALAG LUFT I PRISON. AFTER LEAVING THE A.A.F. HE RETURNED TO HIS HOMETOWN IN SPENCER, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND REMAINED IN THE A.A.F. RESERVE. BEING IN THE RESERVES MEANT HE WAS RECALLED BACK TO ACTIVE DUTY IN 1952 DURING THE KOREAN WAR. HE THEN REMAINED IN THE A.F. IN “SAC” AND FLEW AS A PILOT IN THE B-36, THE B-47, AND THE C-47. LT. COL. BURKE PASSED AWAY IN 1981.

MY HUSBAND, SON, DAUGHTER, AND I ENJOYED “LIFE IN THE AIR FORCE”!