Vietnam Disabled Combat Veteran, 1968
- Member for
- 17 years 8 months 3 days
- Find a Grave ID
Bio
Brunger was raised on a Michigan farm and farmed 1400 acres with his grandfather and father. He was the eldest of ten siblings. He attended Martin School, a one-room school in Venice Township, Shiawassee County, from kindergarten through the 4th grade. In the 5th grade, he was enrolled into St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Elementary School in Owosso, grades first through 8th, and served as an altar boy. Brunger was a 1966 graduate of Corunna High School and participated in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) with many leadership roles, earning the FFA Degree of State Farmer.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1967, John was trained in using many firearms, bayonet training, and hand-to-hand combat at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He trained on helicopters at Fort Eustis, Virginia. His extensive Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) training was on the Bell UH-1 (MOS 67N20) and the Hughes OH-6A (MOS 67V20) helicopters. Brunger received a meritorious promotion to Specialist 5 (E-5) in 6 months.
Brunger served in the Republic of Vietnam with the 1st Aviation Brigade in 1968 as an OH-6A helicopter crew chief (MOS 67V20) and received numerous military awards and citations. He returned from Vietnam and served at Hunter AAF in Savannah, Georgia for 12 months, with run-up orders on the Bell H-13 Sioux an American single-engine helicopter, training Vietnamese pilots.
John's great-grandfathers served during the Civil War. One of those was in the 23rd Michigan Infantry (John Wesley Burleson, Jr. 48657521). Burleson was discharged in 1865 from an area in Tennessee. Heading home by train from Louisville, Kentucky, Burleson had his discharge papers stamped in Louisville. While 102 years later, Brunger was entering the Army for basic training at that same Louisville location, arriving by train in 1967.
One gg grandfather was in Baxter's Tennessee Light Artillery of the Tennessee Army (William Macey "Billy" Sullivan 64078990). While fighting at Chickamauga, they expended 13 rounds of ammunition with 2 casualties. Sullivan was captured in 1864 near Macon, Georgia by Sherman's Union forces.
For any USA Marine reading this far down the page, Brunger's cousin, Brig. General Margaret Brewer #124606600, was the first woman Marine Corps general.
Brunger earned a degree in political science, history, computer science, and education. While enrolled at Georgia Southern, he was a Volunteer Voter Deputy Registrar. He interned under Governor Jimmy Carter in 1974. He worked in the federal government as a housing specialist for 2 years.
Brunger worked for Helena Agri-Enterprises under Bayer, AG and Marubeni. He worked at Fort Howard Paper Company from 1988 to 1991, manufacturing paper towels and toilet paper near Savannah, Georgia. He was a licensed Georgia insurance agent, had a California real estate license, and owned a battery business.
Beginning during the 1995 school year, he taught high school as a certified Texas composite social studies teacher teaching geography, world history, United States history, government, and economics. As a retired teacher, he is credited with 20 years of service.
Brunger participated in many civic organizations such as the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association, Texas State Teacher Association, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Civil Air Patrol, and American Legion. He is a life member of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association. He held officer positions in numerous civic organizations. Brunger was a hospice volunteer in Georgia. He served as a Texas Precinct Chair for a local political party.
Attended: Michigan State University, Georgia Southern (College) University, The University of Texas at Arlington, and Walden University. Brunger is a follower of Jesus and is currently retired. Brunger's wife is an Army veteran. He has one daughter. His son-in-law serves in the U.S. Army as an officer on active duty. Three grandchildren are still at home.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1967, John was trained in using many firearms, bayonet training, and hand-to-hand combat at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He trained on helicopters at Fort Eustis, Virginia. His extensive Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) training was on the Bell UH-1 (MOS 67N20) and the Hughes OH-6A (MOS 67V20) helicopters. Brunger received a meritorious promotion to Specialist 5 (E-5) in 6 months.
Brunger served in the Republic of Vietnam with the 1st Aviation Brigade in 1968 as an OH-6A helicopter crew chief (MOS 67V20) and received numerous military awards and citations. He returned from Vietnam and served at Hunter AAF in Savannah, Georgia for 12 months, with run-up orders on the Bell H-13 Sioux an American single-engine helicopter, training Vietnamese pilots.
John's great-grandfathers served during the Civil War. One of those was in the 23rd Michigan Infantry (John Wesley Burleson, Jr. 48657521). Burleson was discharged in 1865 from an area in Tennessee. Heading home by train from Louisville, Kentucky, Burleson had his discharge papers stamped in Louisville. While 102 years later, Brunger was entering the Army for basic training at that same Louisville location, arriving by train in 1967.
One gg grandfather was in Baxter's Tennessee Light Artillery of the Tennessee Army (William Macey "Billy" Sullivan 64078990). While fighting at Chickamauga, they expended 13 rounds of ammunition with 2 casualties. Sullivan was captured in 1864 near Macon, Georgia by Sherman's Union forces.
For any USA Marine reading this far down the page, Brunger's cousin, Brig. General Margaret Brewer #124606600, was the first woman Marine Corps general.
Brunger earned a degree in political science, history, computer science, and education. While enrolled at Georgia Southern, he was a Volunteer Voter Deputy Registrar. He interned under Governor Jimmy Carter in 1974. He worked in the federal government as a housing specialist for 2 years.
Brunger worked for Helena Agri-Enterprises under Bayer, AG and Marubeni. He worked at Fort Howard Paper Company from 1988 to 1991, manufacturing paper towels and toilet paper near Savannah, Georgia. He was a licensed Georgia insurance agent, had a California real estate license, and owned a battery business.
Beginning during the 1995 school year, he taught high school as a certified Texas composite social studies teacher teaching geography, world history, United States history, government, and economics. As a retired teacher, he is credited with 20 years of service.
Brunger participated in many civic organizations such as the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association, Texas State Teacher Association, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Civil Air Patrol, and American Legion. He is a life member of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association. He held officer positions in numerous civic organizations. Brunger was a hospice volunteer in Georgia. He served as a Texas Precinct Chair for a local political party.
Attended: Michigan State University, Georgia Southern (College) University, The University of Texas at Arlington, and Walden University. Brunger is a follower of Jesus and is currently retired. Brunger's wife is an Army veteran. He has one daughter. His son-in-law serves in the U.S. Army as an officer on active duty. Three grandchildren are still at home.
Brunger was raised on a Michigan farm and farmed 1400 acres with his grandfather and father. He was the eldest of ten siblings. He attended Martin School, a one-room school in Venice Township, Shiawassee County, from kindergarten through the 4th grade. In the 5th grade, he was enrolled into St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Elementary School in Owosso, grades first through 8th, and served as an altar boy. Brunger was a 1966 graduate of Corunna High School and participated in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) with many leadership roles, earning the FFA Degree of State Farmer.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1967, John was trained in using many firearms, bayonet training, and hand-to-hand combat at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He trained on helicopters at Fort Eustis, Virginia. His extensive Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) training was on the Bell UH-1 (MOS 67N20) and the Hughes OH-6A (MOS 67V20) helicopters. Brunger received a meritorious promotion to Specialist 5 (E-5) in 6 months.
Brunger served in the Republic of Vietnam with the 1st Aviation Brigade in 1968 as an OH-6A helicopter crew chief (MOS 67V20) and received numerous military awards and citations. He returned from Vietnam and served at Hunter AAF in Savannah, Georgia for 12 months, with run-up orders on the Bell H-13 Sioux an American single-engine helicopter, training Vietnamese pilots.
John's great-grandfathers served during the Civil War. One of those was in the 23rd Michigan Infantry (John Wesley Burleson, Jr. 48657521). Burleson was discharged in 1865 from an area in Tennessee. Heading home by train from Louisville, Kentucky, Burleson had his discharge papers stamped in Louisville. While 102 years later, Brunger was entering the Army for basic training at that same Louisville location, arriving by train in 1967.
One gg grandfather was in Baxter's Tennessee Light Artillery of the Tennessee Army (William Macey "Billy" Sullivan 64078990). While fighting at Chickamauga, they expended 13 rounds of ammunition with 2 casualties. Sullivan was captured in 1864 near Macon, Georgia by Sherman's Union forces.
For any USA Marine reading this far down the page, Brunger's cousin, Brig. General Margaret Brewer #124606600, was the first woman Marine Corps general.
Brunger earned a degree in political science, history, computer science, and education. While enrolled at Georgia Southern, he was a Volunteer Voter Deputy Registrar. He interned under Governor Jimmy Carter in 1974. He worked in the federal government as a housing specialist for 2 years.
Brunger worked for Helena Agri-Enterprises under Bayer, AG and Marubeni. He worked at Fort Howard Paper Company from 1988 to 1991, manufacturing paper towels and toilet paper near Savannah, Georgia. He was a licensed Georgia insurance agent, had a California real estate license, and owned a battery business.
Beginning during the 1995 school year, he taught high school as a certified Texas composite social studies teacher teaching geography, world history, United States history, government, and economics. As a retired teacher, he is credited with 20 years of service.
Brunger participated in many civic organizations such as the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association, Texas State Teacher Association, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Civil Air Patrol, and American Legion. He is a life member of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association. He held officer positions in numerous civic organizations. Brunger was a hospice volunteer in Georgia. He served as a Texas Precinct Chair for a local political party.
Attended: Michigan State University, Georgia Southern (College) University, The University of Texas at Arlington, and Walden University. Brunger is a follower of Jesus and is currently retired. Brunger's wife is an Army veteran. He has one daughter. His son-in-law serves in the U.S. Army as an officer on active duty. Three grandchildren are still at home.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1967, John was trained in using many firearms, bayonet training, and hand-to-hand combat at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He trained on helicopters at Fort Eustis, Virginia. His extensive Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) training was on the Bell UH-1 (MOS 67N20) and the Hughes OH-6A (MOS 67V20) helicopters. Brunger received a meritorious promotion to Specialist 5 (E-5) in 6 months.
Brunger served in the Republic of Vietnam with the 1st Aviation Brigade in 1968 as an OH-6A helicopter crew chief (MOS 67V20) and received numerous military awards and citations. He returned from Vietnam and served at Hunter AAF in Savannah, Georgia for 12 months, with run-up orders on the Bell H-13 Sioux an American single-engine helicopter, training Vietnamese pilots.
John's great-grandfathers served during the Civil War. One of those was in the 23rd Michigan Infantry (John Wesley Burleson, Jr. 48657521). Burleson was discharged in 1865 from an area in Tennessee. Heading home by train from Louisville, Kentucky, Burleson had his discharge papers stamped in Louisville. While 102 years later, Brunger was entering the Army for basic training at that same Louisville location, arriving by train in 1967.
One gg grandfather was in Baxter's Tennessee Light Artillery of the Tennessee Army (William Macey "Billy" Sullivan 64078990). While fighting at Chickamauga, they expended 13 rounds of ammunition with 2 casualties. Sullivan was captured in 1864 near Macon, Georgia by Sherman's Union forces.
For any USA Marine reading this far down the page, Brunger's cousin, Brig. General Margaret Brewer #124606600, was the first woman Marine Corps general.
Brunger earned a degree in political science, history, computer science, and education. While enrolled at Georgia Southern, he was a Volunteer Voter Deputy Registrar. He interned under Governor Jimmy Carter in 1974. He worked in the federal government as a housing specialist for 2 years.
Brunger worked for Helena Agri-Enterprises under Bayer, AG and Marubeni. He worked at Fort Howard Paper Company from 1988 to 1991, manufacturing paper towels and toilet paper near Savannah, Georgia. He was a licensed Georgia insurance agent, had a California real estate license, and owned a battery business.
Beginning during the 1995 school year, he taught high school as a certified Texas composite social studies teacher teaching geography, world history, United States history, government, and economics. As a retired teacher, he is credited with 20 years of service.
Brunger participated in many civic organizations such as the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association, Texas State Teacher Association, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Civil Air Patrol, and American Legion. He is a life member of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association. He held officer positions in numerous civic organizations. Brunger was a hospice volunteer in Georgia. He served as a Texas Precinct Chair for a local political party.
Attended: Michigan State University, Georgia Southern (College) University, The University of Texas at Arlington, and Walden University. Brunger is a follower of Jesus and is currently retired. Brunger's wife is an Army veteran. He has one daughter. His son-in-law serves in the U.S. Army as an officer on active duty. Three grandchildren are still at home.
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