LtCol George W. Burkley USMC

George Burkley was born 1 May 1938 and graduated from Saint Bonaventure University in 1960. He accepted a regular Marine commission and was selected for flight school. He completed the jet pipe line in July 1962 and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) and VMA 522 flying the A-4B Skyhawk. He was reassigned to VMFA 115, and deployed to Danang Vietnam where he flew approximately 150 combat missions in the F-4B Phantom. He returned to 2nd MAW and joined VMFA 513 training replacement F-4 aircrews. Next, selected for Naval Air Test Pilot School (Class 48), he spent a two-year tour at the Naval Air Test Center, Weapons Test Branch working on missile and classified projects. Returning to the Marine Corps, he joined VMA(AW) 121 training in the A-6A Intruder before returning to Vietnam and VMA(AW) 242 and VMA(AW) 225 and more than 200 combat missions.

Following his second Vietnam tour he attended The American University where he received a Master's Degree. He worked on classified programs at the Naval Air Systems Command. Re-assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Program Analysis and Evaluation as an analyst, he spent the next seven years in the Pentagon.

Returning to the Fleet and back to the A-4 he joined MAG-12 in Japan; then returned to El Toro where he was commanding officer of MWHS-3. His next assignment was as executive officer at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma, Japan. He then retired after 26 years of active service.

He joined the Civil Air Patrol and the Coast Guard Auxiliary where he uses his Rockwell Commander 114 to assist with their missions and help with search and rescue. He's flown over 7,000 hours in 28 different types of aircraft with its ups and downs.

His service awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with Combat V, the Air Medal (17 Oak Leaf Clusters), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

He retired in Hawaii, where he enjoys travel and has worked as a salvage diver, high school math teacher, and captain of a sport fishing vessel. He has a 100 ton Master Mariner's license and a Certified Flight Instructor license.