James B. Burkholder
Encyclopedia
James B. Burkholder was a former United States Army
officer who, after retiring, became involved in peace and social justice issues.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania
, he attended the University of Pennsylvania
. After receiving a degree in accounting from the Wharton School there, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant
in the United States Army Reserve
. He went on active duty before the United States
entered World War II
. Following WWII, he became a career officer and received a Regular Army commission. He retired from the Army in 1973 with the rank of Colonel
. Following his retirement he lived in Tucson, Arizona
.
When the Sanctuary movement
started in the 1980s, he became a supporter and even helped to transport and house Central American political refugees.
In 1987 he joined Veterans for Peace
, and was soon elected president of the organization's Tucson chapter. He later served as the national president of VFP. He also served as a member of the Board of Advisers for the Center for Defense Information
.
Following a brief illness, he died from pancreatic cancer
less than two months shy the 65th anniversary of his marriage to Lucille Burkholder. He frequently cited her as being his inspiration to study and take action on social justice issues following his retirement specifically noting that she had introduced him to both Sanctuary and VFP. She survived him by two years.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer who, after retiring, became involved in peace and social justice issues.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, he attended the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. After receiving a degree in accounting from the Wharton School there, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the United States Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
. He went on active duty before the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
entered World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Following WWII, he became a career officer and received a Regular Army commission. He retired from the Army in 1973 with the rank of Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. Following his retirement he lived in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
.
When the Sanctuary movement
Sanctuary movement
The Sanctuary Movement was a religious and political campaign that began in the early 1980s to provide safe-haven for Central American refugees fleeing civil conflict...
started in the 1980s, he became a supporter and even helped to transport and house Central American political refugees.
In 1987 he joined Veterans for Peace
Veterans for Peace
Veterans For Peace is a United States organization founded in 1985. Made up of male and female US military veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and other conflicts, as well as peacetime veterans, the group works to promote alternatives to war.-Foundation:The...
, and was soon elected president of the organization's Tucson chapter. He later served as the national president of VFP. He also served as a member of the Board of Advisers for the Center for Defense Information
Center for Defense Information
The Center for Defense Information , founded in 1972 by retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Gene La Rocque, states that it is dedicated to strengthening national and international security through international cooperation, reduced reliance on unilateral military power to resolve conflict, reduced...
.
Following a brief illness, he died from pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
less than two months shy the 65th anniversary of his marriage to Lucille Burkholder. He frequently cited her as being his inspiration to study and take action on social justice issues following his retirement specifically noting that she had introduced him to both Sanctuary and VFP. She survived him by two years.