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Richard F. “Dick” Burgess

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Richard F. "Dick" Burgess

from The Lowell Tribune, August 3, 1950, page 1, column 3:
    L.H.S. Student Called to Active Duty in Marines
    Dick Burgess, who is a member of the 9th Infantry Bn., Marine Corps Reserve, has received his call to active duty and will leave for Camp Pendleton, San Diego, Calif., on August 8th.
    Dick, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Burgess of Cedar Lake, would have been a senior at Lowell high school this fall. One of the Red Devils, fastest halfbacks last season, he will be greatly missed on this year's squad, as well as on the basket ball team where he was also a regular.
from The Lowell Tribune, Sept. 7, 1950, page 6, column 3:
    Pvt. Dick Burgess Attending Radio School
    Pvt. Dick Burgess is now stationed at the Marine base in San Diego, Calif., and has been assigned to communications. At present he is attending radio and telephone school. When this eight-week course has been successfuylly completed he will be sent to radar school.
    Dick, who would have been a senior at Lowell High this year, was recently called to service, being a member of the Marine Reserves. Dick is thinking of L.H.S. and reminds his friends that he would be very happy to hear from them.
    Address: Pvt. U.S.M.C. "B" Co. Sig. & T.V.S. Batt. MCRD, San Diego, Calif.
from The Lowell Tribune, Dec. 14, 1950, page 2, column 1:
    Marine Richard "Dick" Burgess is enjoying a Christmas furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Burgess, Cedar Lake. He visited his classmates at L.H.S. Tuesday. Dick, who was a member of the Marine Reserves, was called into service just before the September term of school. He was a senior at L.H.S.
from The Lowell Tribune, Dec. 14, 1950, page 4, column 3:
    LOWELLIAN TO BE DEDICATED TO SENIOR BOY IN SERVICE
    The Lowellian staff members who work on the annual first period have decided to dedicate this year's annual to Richard Burgess. Dick who would have been a senior was in the Marine Reserves and was called to help Uncle Sam.
from The Lowell Tribune, Dec. 28, 1950, page 1, column 2:
    . . . Dick Burgess, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Burgess, who is a member of the U.S. Marines, will be at home until January 3. . . .
This January 4, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 4:
    Marine Dick Burgess had as his guest Tuesday night and Wednesday Pfc. Jerry Spetz of Toledo, O. The boys left Chicago Wednesday evening via plane for Camp Joseph H. Pendleton at Oceanside, Calif.
The following January 11, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 7, column 3:

    MILITARY PROBLEM STIKES LOWELL HIGH

    The military problem is striking at the boys in Lowell High. The boys are enlisting in all branches of the armed service. Richard Burgess, a would-be senior, is in the Marines.

    Duane Ashton, Art Kasparian and Herman Allie have enlisted in the Navy, but have deferments until the end of this school year.

    Alva Peffley has enlisted in the army. Mr. Adams, our science teacher, has enlisted in the Air Force. John D Strickhorn has enlisted in the Navy. These are a few of the enlistments.

    The boys have been enlisting to avoid the draft law.

    Many other boys are considering enlisting so they can choose their preferred branch of service.

The following March 22, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 9, column 2:
    In a letter to his parent, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Burgess, Dick, who is with the U.S. Marines, informs them that he boarded the U.S.S. Gen. J.C. Breckinridge Tuesday morning, sailing to Japan by way of Pearl Harbor and Guam. Dick will appreciate cards and letters from his Lowell high senior classmates and other friends. Address: Pvt. Dick Burgess 1105519, U.S.M.C., "A" Co., 7th Draft, F.M.F. PAC, c/o F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
This April 26, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 3:

    DICK BURGESS IN KOREA

    Dick Burgess writes that he arrived in Korea on April 3 and was sent to the front on April 7. He is stationed with the 1st Marine Division as a switchboard operator in communications. Dicks says that he doesn't have too much time to write but would really appreciate receiving letters from his friends at L.H.S. His address is: Pvt. Richard F. Burgess 1105519 USMC, Sig. Co., 1st Sig. Bn. Wire Pit, 1st Marine Div. F.M.F. c/o F.P.O. San Francisco, California.
This October 4, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 6:

    Area Buddies Meet in Korea

    Pfc. Dick Burgess of Cedar Lake and Pfc. Gerry Hall of Crown Point met unexpectedly in Korea on September 1st.

    Dick, who has been in Korea since April 1, and attached to Signal Co. of 1st Marine Division, had gone to install a telephone in headquarters tent at the Division Command Post. "It was quite a surprise," wrote Dick, "when I walked into the tent and found Gerry there. He had arrived in Korea on Aug. 24 and had been assigned to the post as a typist."

    Since meeting, they have spent a lot of time talking over old times and home.

    Lowell high school class of '51 dedicated their yearbook to Dick, who was a prominent member of the class.

This January 10, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 4:

    PFC. DICK BURGESS SENDS THANKS TO MOTHERS OF WORLD WAR II

    Pfc. Dick Burgess writes from Korea stating that he received his Christmas gift sent by Mothers of World War II and asks that we convey his thanks and appreciation. He says that packages and cards from friends at home really did help to make the season a lot brighter for one so far from home. The package arrived just a few days before Christmas and was in very good condition.

    Dick writes that on Sunday before Christmas they went out and cut a big tree, brought it back and decorated it and on Christmas day had a little party after dinner. An orchestra came in and played for about three hours. For dinner they were served turkey with all the trimmings.

The following February 28, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:

    Dick Burgess Enroute Home from Korea

    In a letter dated Feb. 14, from Pfc. Dick Burgess, Sig. Co., 1st Marine Division, he states that he will leave Korea for Japan on Feb. 18 where he will remain for two or three days and then sail for the United States, expecting to arrive in San Francisco on or about March 5th. He will receive leave papers from Treasure Island and arrive home shortly after.

    Dick, who has been in Korea since April 1, 1951, will receive his discharge early in April.

This April 3, 1952, Lowell Tribune article appeared on page 2, column 3:

    Cpl. Burgess Receives Discharge from Marine Corps

    Having served with the Marine Corps since August, 1950, Cpl. Richard Burgess received his discharged on March 15, and is enjoying civilian life at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Burgess at Cedar Lake.

    As a Pfc., Dick served in Korea for one year with the Signal Company of the 1st Marine Division.

    A popular L.H.S. athlete, the class of '51 dedicated their yearbook to Dick, who, being a member of the reserves, was called from school for active duty, Dick, now employed at Graver Tank in East Chicago, is extended best wishes for a happy and successful future.

Last updated on April 23, 2005.

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