John Luddy Burke | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 22, 1909 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | September 5, 2003 (aged 94) Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Manhattan College |
| Occupation(s) | Business executive Naval officer |
| Spouse |
Ann Gertrude Rock
(m. 1943; died 1990) |
| Relatives | Morgan J. Burke Jr. (brother) |
| Military career | |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years | 1943–1945 |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Battles | |
John Luddy Burke (August 22, 1909 – September 5, 2003) was a United States Navy officer and business executive. He played semi-professional American football for several years.
John Luddy Burke was born on August 22, 1909, in Waterbury, Connecticut. His eldest brother was Morgan J. Burke Jr., a New York judge and attorney.[1]
Burke attended Manhattan College in New York City, during which time he was considered an "excellent football player". The lettermen of Manhattan College elected him captain of the college team in a unanimous vote in 1930.[2] He played semi-professional football for many teams in the Waterbury area.[3] The New York Times considered him a "splendid tackler and receiver of passes".[1][4]
Burke joined the United States Navy following the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between 1943 and 1945 on the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Conner. Gaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander, he took part in the Philippines campaign (1944–1945) and the battles of Saipan, Hollandia, Leyte, and Lingayen Gulf. He led several boat parties from the USS Conner with Japanese prisoners from the Pacific.
In 1946, Burke ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for the Connecticut House of Representatives representing Waterbury.[5][6]
Burke then entered the Outdoor Advertising Industry. He rose to become president of Big D Outdoor Advertising and, in 1960, was elected executive vice president of Packer Outdoor Advertising and vice president of the Harry H. Packer Company and the Outdoor Investment Company.[3][7]
- ^ a b "Manhattan Sure of Weighty Line". The New York Times. 18 September 1927. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "JOHN BURKE IS ELECTED". The Christian Science Monitor. 7 December 1929. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b John Luddy Burke and Ann Rock
- ^ "MANHATTAN BRACES AT END TO WIN, 21-6; Burke Goes Over Three Times in Last 2 Periods to Turn Back Newport Naval Reserve. FIRST HALF HARD FOUGHT Jaspers Come Back Strongly and Aided by Passes Quickly Break Secreless Draw". The New York Times. 29 September 1929. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ John L. Burke (S) at CT.GOV-Connecticut's Official State Website
- ^ "Burke". The Political Graveyard. HDL. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ "Burke Joins Packer Corp". Advertising Age. 1 August 1960. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via Internet Archive.