Burke Henderson Morgan
| Maj Burke H Morgan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
Major Morgan had served with the USAF from 1954-1957 in the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and university ROTC while at Texas A & M until he began full time at the USAFA.
Major Morgan flew over 252 combat missions in Vietnam on several tours. He was wounded during one of his early tours while TDY MACV.
On 22 Aug 67, Maj John C.G. Kerr, (pilot) and Capt Burke H. Morgan, (navigator) were reported missing in action while on a single aircraft operational mission; their status was changed to killed in action. Radar and radio contact was lost with the members in their A-26 aircraft and the members were declared missing in action at the time of estimated fuel exhaustion. Last radio contact with them was routine and there was no indication of trouble. Under the provisions of Section 556, Title 37, USC, their status was changed to killed in action at the time of the incident effective 4 Jun 71.
Posthumously promoted to Major. In 2002, Lao government officials reported that the remains had been turned over to a Lao official in 1987 or 1988, but that the official had since died. His driver, however, had possession of those remains and had been holding them in safekeeping awaiting directions from authorities. Scientists of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command were able to identify those remains using a variety of forensic methods, including analysis of skeletal and dental remains.
Military Service
- Rank: Major (promoted while missing)
- Serial Number:
- Type: Pilot
- Squadron: 606th Air Commando Squadron
Missions
22 Aug 67 - Maj John Creighton Gillespie Kerr, (pilot) and Capt Burke H. Morgan, (navigator) were reported missing in action while on a single aircraft operational mission.
Radar and radio contact was lost with the members in their A-26 aircraft and the members were declared missing in action at the time of estimated fuel exhaustion. Last radio contact with them was routine and there was no indication of trouble.
Citations & Awards
- Silver Star
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Purple Heart (x2)
- Air Medal (x6)
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (x2)
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Korea Service Medal
- Air Force Longevity Award
- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
- Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
- Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Planes
Crew
Disposition
- KIA 22 Aug 1967
Through various contacts with the Laotian government, a joint U.S.-Laotian recovery team was able to retrieve the remains of Maj. Morgan in February 2005. Major Morgan was buried alongside his wife, Mary, in the USAF Academy grounds.
He is listed on the Vietnam Wall, Panel 25E, Line 31.
Personal Life
Burke Henderson Morgan was born 4 Jun 1936 in Manitou Springs, CO.
Family
Images
Records and Personnel Information
Personnel Data on these pages came from the following sources:
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund - Wall of Faces (www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces)
- Honor States (www.honorstates.org)
- Together We Served (http://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf)
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