From a contemporary press report:
John E. “Jack” Burgess, 67, of Lusby, a decorated naval aviator, died of lung cancer October 11, 2003, at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Captain Burgess was born in Rochester, New York, graduated from Cornell University and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1957.
During his 25-year naval career, Mr. Burgess served in the Vietnam War, graduated from the National War College, served in the State Department’s Office of Political-Military Affairs and received a master’s degree in international relations from George Washington University. Mr. Burgess also received the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Air Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.
Upon his retirement in 1982, Captain Burgess became a program manager at TRW, supporting the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Captain Burgess moved to Chevy Chase in 1969 with his first wife, Judith Burgess, and their three sons. After his 1982 divorce, he lived in Potomac, Annapolis and then Lusby.
An avid cruising sailor, Captain Burgess was commodore for the Chesapeake Morgan Association and a member of the Solomons Island Yacht Club.
Survivors include his wife, Susan S. Burgess of Lusby; sons Kevin Burgess of Yuma, Arizona, Timothy Burgess of Ossining, New York, and Alexander Burgess of San Francisco; stepdaughters Lisa Madigan of East Quogue, New York, and Leslie Keldsen of Hollis, New Hampshire; a brother; and four grandchildren.
BURGESS, JOHN EDMUND “Jack”
On Saturday, October 11, 2003 of Lusby, MD. Beloved husband of Susan S. Burgess; loving father of Kevin, Timothy and Alexander Burgess; stepfather of Lisa Madigan and Leslie Keldsen; grandfather of Sean and Ariel Burgess, Hannah and Erik Keldsen. He is also survived by his brother, Timothy Keenan Burgess.
Graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2003 at Arlington National Cemetery at 1 p.m. with Full Military Honors. Following the service, the family will receive friends at the Fort Myer Officer’s Club. Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Maryland, Greenebaum Cancer Center, 22 S. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard