July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
Very nice uniform and flag grouping of Brigadier General Edward R. Burka. Burka was born on December 30, 1930 to two Russian immigrants in Washington DC. At an early age, he became passionate about America and graduated from Princeton University, where he was a member of the ROTC. Burka's first assignment was as a first lieutenant in the field artillery in July, 1955. His ambitions continued to grow and this was the beginning of an ambitious military career. He was later transferred to the Medical Corps, as he had earned a medical degree from Columbia University while in the Reserves. As a doctor in the medical corps, Burka volunteered for the Airborne Special Forces, where he became a Master Parachutist. In 1958 and 1959, he was a Jumpmaster at Wiesbaden Air Force Base in Germany and successfully completed 69 jumps. During the years 1979-1983, he was the U.S. Army’s Deputy to the Surgeon General for Mobilization where he was responsible for planning logistics for the evacuation of U.S. cities in the event of a nuclear or biological disaster. Throughout his time in the service, Burka held many commands in a list of assignments which are too long to list. He was awarded various decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, various Parachutists Badges, and even French Parachutist Brevet. After a long and successful military career, Burka retired on July 16, 1973 and passed away peacefully on January 9, 2021, shortly after his 90th birthday. Burka's grouping includes dress green uniform jacket and trousers. The uniform is adorned with Burka's awards, with the shoulder highlighted by his Special Forces insignia, and the right chest sporting his French Parachutist Brevet. The left pocket supports a plethora of awards which were earned by Burka, all but the LOM ribbon contained on a ribbon rack. The grouping also includes a pair of Burka's BDUs which still retain their original color and tags. There are also 4 flags, 2 medical corps flags, red cross flag, and a small medical corps brigadier general flag. The group is accompanied by documents from Burka, 1 which highlights his military achievements, and another which states he personally sold several of these items to a former collector in 1993. CONDITION: The uniforms are excellent, and one of the documents even notes that Burka had the BDUs cleaned just before he sold them. There are some light scattered blemishes from storage which are expected of old uniforms. The flags are equally nice with light wear noticeable and staining on the red cross flag. Overall excellent. This is a very nice uniform and flag grouping from a successful US Army General. JLD
Item Dimensions: 19" X 19" X 7"
Paperwork
Photo and Documents