Since this column has much to say this week about Pawtucket, your superior correspondents would like, following Memorial Day, to give a tip of the sombrero to John F. McBurney Jr., for his service during World War II. If you’re from Pawtucket, you know the McBurney family, another of those politically active Irish Catholic clans (a la the Lynchs) who have long been identified with public service.
John Jr. is the paterfamilias. From 1958 to 1974, he served as the state Senator from District 2 in Pawtucket. His son, John III, moved into his dad’s seat in 1974 and is Vo Dilun’s longest serving state Senator (from what is now District 15).
Last week, P&J mentioned to the current Senator “Jack” (with whom Jorge was friendly when each was in URI’s class of ’72) that he had seen a BeloJo story about a Seekonk man who the French government had just honored as a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. The article mentioned that a “John McBurney of Pawtucket” was also honored with the Legion of Honor, so we inquired, “Is that your dad, Jack?”
Indeed it is, and Jack agreed to send over a related front-page story from the Sun Chronicle of Attleboro (the elder Senator McBurney was a graduate of Attleboro High). Those of you who, like P&J and the current Senator McBurney, had/have parents who served in the WWII know the drill: the parent tells you that he/she was no hero, and that they just did what they had to do, and nothing much happened.
Then you ask a few questions and find out something entirely different. In his case, John McBurney, a private in the 103rd Infantry Division, was searching for German machine gun nests outside a house in Woerth in occupied France, accompanied by another soldier, and found a machine gun when it opened fire on them. McBurney managed to shoot one of the two Germans and forced the other to surrender, saving the life of a fellow American soldier.
A bronze star awarded to McBurney last November noted his courage, valor, and his contribution to the liberation of France. The French government awarded him the Legion of Honor.
Jack McBurney tells me that with all the accomplishments (husband and father, a successful family law practice, a long list of community activities, service in the state Senate), he is proudest of his World War II service.
The prosperity and freedoms we enjoy as Americans (and hope to continue to enjoy if we can get rid of the current incompetent) are a direct resolute of the heroism of men and women like John McBurney. Thank you for your service.
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