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Jerry Lee Burton No. 21727 Class of 1958   Eulogy Mrs. Carole Burton Lt. John Burbules and Fellow Classmates   Born June 30, 1936, Died January 22, 1960 in a helicopter accident at Camp Wolters, Texas.                 Return

Jerry, born in Evansville, Indiana, went directly to the Military Academy  from high school.   Upon graduation from USMA, he married Carole Kleiderer in the cadet chapel.

Jerry  completed the Basic Officer’s Course at Ft. Belvoir, Va.   He took primary flight training at Camp Gary Texas and advanced flight training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama

After graduating as a rated Army Aviator, Jerry received orders for Germany with temporary duty enroute at Camp Wolters, Texas to attend the Army’s  rotary wing qualification course.   It was at Camp Wolters that Jerry was involved in a fatal helicopter accident.

Jerry’s presence was all too brief a chapter in the lives of those who knew and loved him.   His classmates said that Jerry possessed a sense of duty that transcended the ordinary.   His adherence to regulations was unswerving.   As a plebe he experienced as many problems as his classmates but he was unique in that he always viewed the situation objectively and found that he was at fault in some manner or other.   As an upper classman, he earned his classmates’ respect by being forthright in his criticism of certain acts that he considered as not being within the spirit of the cadet code.

Jerry’s motto was “free help, cheerfully given” and many cadets owed much to his patient giving of academic assistance.   Splitting his valuable time quite unequally between golf, tennis, cribbage, bridge, wrestling and that certain someone, cadet life was a pleasant “adventure” much to the envy of some of his less enthusiastic classmates.   Jerry was a great competitor - each stroke on the green - each trump in his hand - was played as if the entire game depended on that stroke or card.

Jerry was an inspiration to others as an officer, dedicated to his duties and in his unfailing friendship to his comrades.   He considered each friendship to be a special privilege and honor.  

Any conversation with Jerry commanded his total attention.   He was a great listener and debater. With sound fundamental thought he would offer his brand of “backyard” philosophy that left one listening in agreement.   He considered all such effort as an investment in his fellow comrades.  As a junior officer, he displayed the characteristics of an outstanding individual and leader.

Perhaps by the will of our maker, his sudden departure will provide a brief but intense focus upon Jerry which will enable us to recognize, emulate and thus preserve our memory of Jerry Lee Burton.