Richard Earl Burton

[Richard Earl Burton]

Richard is my uncle. Born to Edith and Earl Burton of Borger, Texas, October 4, 1932. He spoke often of being in Germany and I believe he was in the US Army. I used to take him to his medical appointments at the VA Hospital in Fresno, CA. I can’t seem to find any records. Any suggestions? He died in a care facility in Amarillo, Texas in April of 2008. 

[Part95]

 

I'm willing to help find what information I can.  Before I go any further, can you confirm Is this your uncle's headstone? 

[Richard Earl Burton]

Yes, that is his headstone. Below is a picture of him. 
 

Appreciate any assistance you may have. 
God Bless 

 

Laura Burton

[Part95]

Hello Laura!

 

Glad to help if I can.  There's a lot of information in this picture!  CAVEAT: I'm NOT a uniform and badges guy, so I'm going to say a bunch of stuff, then one of the people who really knows is going to jump in, pat me on the head, and give you the TRUTH! ;)  There are incredible folks here who can tell you what unit he was with and what he spilled on the cuffs. 

 

But, here's my novice attempt at interpreting the uniform. 

 

Collar discs:  The left one looks a little like a simple "U.S." insignia  disc, the Right collar disc looks like the crossed rifles of an infantryman. 

 

Patches:  The patch on the left shoulder looks like a quatrefoil;  a four-leaf clover. I can't tell for sure, but it might be the insignia of the 4th Infantry Division(?), It was known for its service in World War II and Vietnam.  BTW, I know you mentioned Germany in your original post, and he may have been stationed there, but he's too young for WWII service.  

 

 

Below the left breast pocket: There is a metal insignia that appears to be a Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), which signifies the specific regiment or battalion. The design isn't entirely clear, but it appears to have a wheel or circular emblem, which could be associated with an artillery or transport unit?

 

Above the left pocket, there is a rectangular insignia, which might be a marksmanship badge (such as for rifle qualification) or an overseas service bar.

Garrison Cap Insignia: The pin on the garrison cap (overseas cap) is likely an Infantry Distinctive Insignia or the U.S. Army Enlisted Cap Device?

 

Again, this is just a quick look, and I HOPE the experts show up to correct me.  Again...NOT a uniform guy. :) 

 

Does this align with what you know about him, Laura?

 

Best Wishes,

Cliff

[BILL THE PATCH]

The patch is for the 4th army, not div. They never left the states. Pretty sure Florida was home to the 4th army. Also he has a puc ( presidential unit citation over his right breast pocket with looks like two oak leaf clusters. Meaning what ever unit he's in he was authorized  to wear it. Looks like a post war uniform to me. Do you have a closeup of the pin on hat? That looks like a regt dui. Now we see that we cannot see what's on the other side of sleeve. There could be another patch  that we cannot see. Do you have any other pictures? . The collar brass looks like they have a doomed shape which also would indicate post war. He has leadership tabs on his epaulets which also have a DUI ( distinctive unit insignia)on it. 

[Part95]

See...told you so, Laura! :)  Thank you so much for stepping in and cleaning up my mess Bill. 

 

Cheers

[atb]

Much of the information in post #4 is incorrect. He is a Artilleryman (shown by the crossed cannon collar disk  on the right of the image) assigned to the Fourth Army (shown by the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia), over one pocket is the PUC as already mentioned, on the other side is a ribbon bar for the National Defense Service Medal, and an Expert Qualification Badge, on his shoulder loops it looked looks like Distinctive Unit Insignia for the 59th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion on leadership slip-on tabs. I base the unit identification on a time period for the image of around 1954-57. The PUC was awarded to the unit for its service in the Philippines as the 59th Coast Artillery in 1941-1942.

[Marshallj]

That grave marker was meant to be temporary. You need to get him a permanent marker. That funeral home is still in business. Call them. 

[KurtA]

Based on the Fourth Army patch and 59th Anti Aircraft DUI, he would have been stationed at Fort Bliss, TX when this photo was taken. 

 

 

[Part95]

1 hour ago, atb said:

Much of the information in post #4 is incorrect.

  Hi, it's good to meet you too!  I'm #4. 

[atb]

1 hour ago, Part95 said:

  Hi, it's good to meet you too!  I'm #4. 

Hello. After a reread of the first sentence, I didn't intend it to sound like it did. A rewrite-

Here's a few clarifications.

Better?

[Part95]

I'm am so sorry atb if my reply came across as curt; any slight was purely unintentional. I want to be told when I'm wrong!  I learned more reading Bill's and your posts then any dozen others I could have fumbled through. Anyway, I intended humor, but delivered awkward and ill planned. My apologies for any slight, atb.

 

I hope you read in my first post the respect and admiration I have for the experts here.  I don't think anyone truly appreciates what kind of diligence, patience, study - and just bloody time! - it takes to achieve your level of expertise.  

 

My Best,

Cliff

 

 

[atb]

Oh, no issues here. I'm glad my knowledge of this stuff can be useful.

[Richard Earl Burton]

Appreciate all the information. As I have no knowledge of the uniform and its meaning, I remember taking him to the Veterans Hospital in Fresno Ca for his medical appointments. Somewhere I have a card that I believe had some of his veterans information. He was a bit of a lost soul, but a kind and caring soul as well. I m proud of him. He was very intelligent and read constantly. He loved history. His parents were Earl and Edith Burton. My Dad was the last of his family to pass. Three boys and three girls. My Dad Roy A Burton joined his family on 12/11/24❤️❤️

[Richard Earl Burton]

I appreciate all of you and certainly respect your time and knowledge. I was hoping to have some information prior to my Dad passing. Nonetheless, I am open to any information available. You all take care and know that I appreciate everything.❤️🙏🏻

[Richard Earl Burton]

I’m am working on his permanent headstone. While I have two other siblings, I’m working on my Mother’s as well, alone. With the help of my late father, his Mother’s permanent stone was placed in very recent years. Again, I appreciate all our servicemen and women, their commitment and courage. God Bless 

Laura Burton on behalf of Richard and the entire Burton Family ❤️