Page 64 - Images: We were...We are

Walter Laverte Burke - NOTES FROM THE VIRTUAL WALL

A fellow Marine, Don Hill, recalls PFC Walter Burke's death:

"Near the beginning of Operation Meade River, on November 22, 1968, Delta
Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines crossed the river -- and lost four Marines KIA,
med-evaced seven emergency WIA's, and kept a bunch of wounded hanging around
and waiting for a more promising helicopter to get them out.

"I'd like to remember Walter Laverte Burke, a young Marine who gave his life while
saving the life of Ed Behnke. After Ed had been seriously wounded in the shoulder,
neck, and jaw, PFC Burke took him quite aways to a position of relative safety. As
Ed scurried over/was pushed over that last elevated rice paddy dike, Burke was
shot and killed approximately one foot from safety."

Four Marines from Delta 1/1 were killed in action on 22 Nov 1968:

x SSgt Kenneth A. Baker, New Bedford, MA (Silver Star)
x Cpl Andrew A. Ruiz, Clovis, CA
x Pfc Walter L. Burke, New York, NY
x Pfc Louis A. Taylor, Atlantic City, NJ

28 Aug 2002

My name is Edward Behnke and it was Walter Burke who was trying to save me
after I was shot through the neck and shoulder. I will never forget Walter Burke.

I know that Walter still has a brother and possibly his father is still alive. I would
like to sometime meet with them, and would like to hear from family and friends.

Edward Behnke

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