Individual Details

22 Jan 1942. Military Enlistment
David J. Burleson, b. 1919, AL, Single, Aviation Cadet, 4 years of college. Enlisted at Camp Crowder, Neosho, MO. Also had voluntary enlistment, 8 Dec 1841, 1 year in National Guard. Height 72", Weight 146#

Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, AR. 7 Sep 1942
David Burleson, son of Mrs. D. J. Burleson, 426 Highland, will be graduated soon from the air force advanced flying school at Stockton Field, Calif. a dispatch from the school said today. He will be commissioned second lieutenant and given his pilot's silver wings. Cadet Burleson completed his preliminary word at Thunderbird Field, Ariz and Minter Field, Calif. He is a former student of the University of Arkansas and a member of Sigma Chi.

During the war Capt Burleson served in the China-Burma-India theater instructing Chinese pilots. At the time he married in 1945, he was stationed at Thunderbird Field, Glendale, AZ, as a director of flying.

Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, AR.
9 Mar 1948
Mr. and Mrs. David Burleson of Fort Smith announce the birth of a daughter Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at the St. Edwards Hospital. Mr. Burleson is the son of Mrs. David Burleson of Fayetteville. [I believe this was Ann]

1950 Census. Fayetteville, Washington Co, AR, Hh 9
Lafayette St
David J. Burleson, 30, b. AL
Lillian, wife, 26, b. IL, Medical Technician, Veterans Hospital
Ann, dau, 2, b. AR

Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, AR.
25 Apr 1952
Mr. and Mrs. David Burleson of Fayetteville announce the birth of a daughter, April 24, at the County Hospital. [this would have been Clare]

David apparently went back to the University after the war - he practiced law in Fayetteville. In the early 1960's, David was a State Representative in the Arkansas legislature.

Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, AR Tue. 21 Jun 1966, p.23
AD: Support Burleson for Congress
I'm David Burleson, Democratic Candidate for Congressman for the 3rd District.
Background: Resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas since 1924. Father was first President of Southern State College, Magnolia, Arkansas, and was Agri Agronomist with University of Arkansas from 1924 until his death in 1936. Mother was born and raised in Ouachita County, AR. Wife is Lillian Oliver Burleson of Corning, AR, graduate of University of Arkansas. Three daughters and one son, Member of Methodist Church, Served on Church Board, Member of American Legion, VFW, CBI, Veterans Association, University of Arkansas Alumi Assocation.
Education: Fayetteville Public Schools, graduate of Fayetteville High School, Attended University of Arkansas before and after World War II, University of Arkansas degrees in Business Administration and Law.
Experience: Attorney at Law in Fayetteville since 1950. Combat Pilot, US Army Air Force, World War II. Over 2 years overseas wartime service in China-Burma-Indian Theater. Persently Lt. Colonel, US Air Force Reserve. First elected to Arkansas Legislature in 1958, now completing fourth consecutive term....

Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, AR 11 Nov 1969
Engagement Tea Honors Ann Burleson.
She was engaged to George Robert "Pal" Owen, son of Mr. & Mrs. Phil Owen. An was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. David J. Burleson and the tea was held at the Delta Delta Delta house on the University of Arkansas campus. Her sister Clare presided at the guest book. Wedding planned for January 25th.
Another article on 15 Jan 1970, mentions another sister, Jane Burleson. The wedding picture and article appeared on January 26th. Her cousin David Comstock was one of the ushers. Both sisters Clare and Jane were bridesmaids, Jane said to be a junior bridesmaid. Miss Mary Comstock of Siloam Springs kept the guest book. Mrs. Graydon Comstock and Mrs. David Comstock, aunt and cousin helped serve at the reception.
Daughter Clare's engagement was announced 26 May 1973. she was also a Tri Delt and was marrying James Randy Simmonds of Memphis, TN in late summer. They married on August 18th.
Bridesmaids included her sister Jane, Mrs. George Owen [her sister Ann], Mary Comstock of Siloam Springs her cousin. One of the groomsmen was the bride's brother, David O. Burleson, of Fayetteville. Mrs. Graydon Comstock, aunt, served punch at the reception.

Served two tours in the Air Force - the US Dept of Veterans Affairs Death File shows his enlisted as 22 Jan 1942 - 3 Nov 1945 and again for six months from 20 Jan 1953 - 19 Jul 1953.

Markers in the Fayetteville National Cemetery, Plot 26A, 0, 21
Lt. Col, U.S. Air Force
World War II
Korea
Vietnam
Dec 31, 1919
May 16, 1996

Lillian Oliver
His Wife
Feb 22, 1924
Mar 4, 1997

Birth	31 Dec 1919	Auburn, Lee County, Alabama
Marriage	5 May 1945	Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona - Madge Lillian Oliver
Death	16 May 1996	Murphreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee

Spouse	Madge Lillian Oliver (1924 - 1997)
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living

Father	David Jasper Burleson (1881 - 1936)
Mother	Alice Jewel Wesson (1886 - 1963)
Sibling	Glenn Bates Burleson (1913 - 1951)
Sibling	Mary Clare Burleson (1916 - 1999)