John G. Burkhalter

John G. Burkhalter
Born	(1909-07-23)July 23, 1909 Thomasville, Georgia
Died	September 30, 1992(1992-09-30) (aged 83) Washington, DC
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army United States Army Reserve
Years of service	1942 - 1969
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles / wars	World War II D-Day Battle of the Bulge Korean War
Awards	Silver Star Bronze Star Purple Heart Presidential Unit Citation Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal United Nations Korea Medal
Alma mater	University of Miami

Rev. John Grady Burkhalter^[1] (July 23, 1909 - September 30, 1992) was a Baptist minister and highly decorated chaplain who served in World War II and the Korean War. He was part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy at Omaha Beach.

Burkhalter was born in Thomasville, Georgia, on July 23, 1909. While an adolescent, he boxed professionally under the name "Jacky Mills," and played on the 1929 Miami High School football team.^[2] In 1935, Burkhalter was named senior pastor of the West Flagler Park Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, and married his high school sweetheart, Miss Mabel Money, the following year.

Burkhalter enlisted in the United States Army and graduated from the Chaplain's School at Harvard. In 1943, he was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and landed on Omaha Beach on D-day. An account of his experiences was printed in the Miami Daily News on August 6, 1944.^[3] Rev Burkhalter sustained multiple head injuries due to exploding shrapnel during the Battle of the Bulge. He was declared "missing in action" for several weeks before eventually turning up in a French hospital.^[4] Burkhalter received a Purple Heart for these deeds. Burkhalter was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and America's third highest honor, The Silver Star for gallantry. His citation for the Silver Star reads as follows: "For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Haaren, Germany, 21 October 1944. Although constantly subjected to heavy artillery bombardment and several times thrown to the ground by concussion of exploding shells, Chaplain Burkhalter moved about an exposed area and directed the recovery of the bodies of American casualties. Chaplain Burkhalter's courage and coolness under fire were of great inspiration to all who witnessed his gallant deeds."^[4]

Burkhalter also spent time with the 2nd Infantry Division and would spend a total of 20 months in the European Theater of Operations. On March 22, 1946, Burkhalter was promoted to the rank of captain and was assigned to an occupational duty in Japan. He stayed in Japan several years until the Korean War escalated. During the Korean War, he served primarily with the 51st Signal Battalion and the 73rd Tank Battalion.^[5] While serving near Kumch'on in the summer of 1950, Rev. Burkhalter gained notoriety when his name and a photograph of him conducting a funeral were published in Life Magazine.^[6] Burkhalter was promoted to major during the Korean War and would spend thirteen months in Korea. After the war, Burkhalter would serve in several different posts and entered the US Army Reserves. On July 3, 1969, Burkhalter would officially retire from the United States Army as a lieutenant colonel.^[7] Some of Burkhalter's military adventures were recorded in 2000 in the book, "Heroes to Remember" by Brandon R. Sanders.^[8]

U.S. military decorations
	Silver Star
	Bronze Star
	Purple Heart
	Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
	Army of Occupation Medal
	National Defense Service Medal
	Korean Service Medal
	Armed Forces Reserve Medal
	United Nations Korea Medal

Burkhalter held bachelor's degrees in history from the University of Miami and divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania. Burkhalter held a master's degree in history from Stetson University and began doctoral work at American University.^[7] He pastored several churches including West Flagler Park Baptist Church in Miami, Van Buren Street Baptist Church in Eastport (1959–1963), Berkley Baptist Church in Mount Royal, N.J. (1963–1967) and Maryland City Baptist Church in Laurel (1967–1968). He founded Temple Baptist Church (renamed Riva Community Bible Church) in Riva, Md. in 1973, and served as pastor there until 1988.^[9]

Burkhalter died on September 30, 1992, at the age of 83 and was buried with full military honors on Chaplain's Hill at Arlington National Cemetery.^[10] The burial was carried out by the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and included a military band, American flag draped over the coffin, horse-drawn wagon, 21-gun salute, taps, Riderless horse, etc.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to John G. Burkhalter.

• John Burkhalter: Hero of the Cross in Korea" All Nations Review, Summer 1951, pages 6–7.
• Miami Daily News on August 6, 1944
• http://www.life.com/image/50876430^{[permanent dead link‍]}