CPL Donald J. Burmingham

Born June 22, 1928, in Camden the eldest of six children of Henry J. Burmingham (1910-1992) and the former Dorothy Thelma Ballou (1909-1964), Don attended school in McConnellsville, Camden and Redfield. He left school in 1946 for the Army. Don was trained at Ft. Dix, New Jersey where he left for Japan assigned to the mechanized cavalry. While in Japan he served/ was selected to be part of the Military Police Guard at the Japanese war crimes trials. He re-enlisted in February 1950.

When hostilities broke out in Korea he was activated with the 5th Cavalry. His few remaining letters home are poignant and filled with concern for his family in Redfield. It was during a battle in the hills of South Korea that Don was last seen alive on September 12, 1950. The Army declared him dead 3 years later on January 1, 1953.

In March 2012, Retired master Sargeant Ivan “Pat” Hambley (1928-2014) who served with Don, contacted his cousin Shawn Doyle after reading a post on an MIA website prepared by Shawn and Larry Burmingham. Ivan served with Don and over him as commanding officer. Ivan was wounded and removed from combat just after Don was killed. They had 28 men at the last assault on the hill in the Pusan perimeter and had captured a North Korean commander. Ivan told Shawn in a phone call that Don deserved higher honors including silver star for valor, for helping save an injured Marine Corp Captain from the field of combat. They had been surrounded for two days and were behind enemy lines. Ivan wanted the family to know Don was “a real Hero”.

As a young man in Redfield Don enjoyed fishing and hunting. In one of the last letters home to his mother, Don spoke about hoping to get home to go hunting and fishing in Redfield. He was well thought of by his family, particularly his aunts. A promising youth, a life cut short in it’s prime. Only a few photos of Don survive.

Don was posthumously awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Marksmanship Badge, Korean Service Medal, Nation Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation and the Army Good Conduct Medal. On July 17, 2025, Don’s remains were identified among some recently repatriated.
 

They will be returned home on Friday October 10, and he will be buried with full military honors at 10:30am on Tuesday October 14, 2025, in Union Cemetery of Greenboro, 6566 County Rte. 17, North Redfield, Oswego County, New York alongside his sister Doris Barber. Besides his parents and sister; Doris B. Barber.

Don was also predeceased by sisters Shirley B. Treadway and Mary Jane B. Hunt, as well as his brother Larry Burmingham of Cato, NY, five nieces and two nephews. He is survived by a brother John Burmingham of Colorado, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Traub Funeral home, Central Square has charge of arrangements. A luncheon will follow at Half-Shire Historical Society, 1100 County Rte. 48, Richland, NY.

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