ERNIE LEE BURGAMY Johnson County’s Only Vietnam Casualty Written by Kale Roberts: American Legion Ernie Lee Burgamy Scholarship 2009 recipient Ernie Lee Burgamy was born in a log cabin in Johnson County on September 10, 1947. Ernie had a difficult home life filled with tragedy and loss. At just the age of six Ernie’s father was killed in a car accident, leaving his mother alone to raise six children. Carol was the oldest then Randy, and Ernie was right in the middle as a child number three, Brenda and Dottie came next and Donnie was the baby brother. Ernie struggled with the loss of his father, his childhood was ripped apart and he just never seemed to get over it. He started school in Harrison Georgia, but after just two years the family moved to Dublin where she stared school in the third grade. It was hard for Ernie to adjust when his mother remarried. After four years in Dublin the family moved back to Johnson County and his mother and stepfather had three more children. Now Ernie had two brothers, three sisters, one half-sister, and two half-brothers. With all the moving and changing schools his grades suffered and his friendships as well. Ernie eventually quit school during his ninth grade year. “He just got by in school, he didn’t enjoy school, like so many others during that time he just quit and went to work” according to his younger brother Donnie. Ernie’s teenage years were a little more normal, as far as normal goes for a teenage boy with a stepfather and nine children in the family. He was an outgoing and friendly teenager that loved his family and enjoyed life. He would hang out with friends like Jerry Bray. Ernie was just a good old boy, “Ray said”. “We went to school together and quit school together, Ernie had it rough being raised in a house with so many brothers and sisters. One of the things we loved to do was go to the races, dirt tracking. Ernie was the best friend you could ask for, he was never in any trouble, like I said he was just a good old boy. He had to pick cotton and he always said that was the hardest work he ever did.” “I don’t know Ernie but for about four years but I sure miss him” commented Bray. One of Ernie’s favorite pastimes was joy riding in his older brother Randy. Randy had a Pontiac GTO and they loved to just ride around any time they could. Ernie got his first nickname when he purchased his first car a 1956 Chevrolet, for Munchy Roberts. It was navy blue and would run like a bat out of hades. Roberts was known for fast cars and after Ernie bought the car from Roberts, he was then referred to as “Little Munchy”. He loved being called “Little Munchy” according to Jerry Bray. Roberts remembered Ernie and the 56 Chevrolet. “He was a pistol for sure, likeable, outgoing, and loved cars, everyone liked him,” stated Roberts. “I just loved him, everyone that knew him did, added Robert’s wife Hazel. Like many young teenage boys living in poor rural communities the war in Vietnam was a spark. It was a national conflict dividing our country between those that supported it and those that opposed it. The war provided them an avenue out and a chance to travel. Several young men from Johnson County enlisted, friends of Ernie that included Tommy Poole, his brother Jerry Poole and Otha Powell. Ernie was too young to be drafted or enlist so his mother signed for him to join, as many did during that time. Ernie joined the Army in the fall of 1967 and was private first class E-3 in the selective service 1st class Cav Division (AMBL). His tour of duty began on March 31, 1968 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam. The Vietnam War began in 1959 and ended in 1975. From 1965 through 1968 the war was called the Jungle Years and from 1969 through 1975 it was referred to as the Bitter End. While Ernie served his country during the Jungle Years the death toll exceeded 8000 troops killed in action in Vietnam. Ernie’s military career was short lived. Serving only four months he was killed in action by an explosive device, on the most celebrated military day of the year, Independence Day. The Fourth of July 1968 Ernie Lee Burgamy paid the price. He gave his life to save others while doing his job he signed up to do for his country. Ernie was a hero, saving the lives of the many in his unit by putting himself in between the explosive and his men. Ernie was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, The Bronze Star Medal, The Silver Star Medal, and the highest commendation any military personal can receive the Purple Hear. His body was brought back to the United States and he is buried next to his father in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery on Highway 319 in Johnson County, Georgia. Ernie Lee Burgamy was the only soldier from Johnson County that was killed in action during the Vietnam War. He still has family and friends living in Johnson County and many more that remember the sacrifice he made for his country. There are messages left on the wall-usa web page thanking Ernie and remembering their time together. Others that never knew him at all from all parts of the United States thanking him for his dedication and sacrifice. The most emotional remembrance of Ernie’s life came when his sister Brenda pulled out a couple of very old photos. They were tattered and worn with tiny holes in them. With tear filled eyes Brenda explained that they were photos of her and her brother, he toted them in his wallet all the time. They were still in his wallet when they returned it to the family complete with holes from the metal explosive that took his life.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 23:43:50 +0000
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