John A. Ciburk
Bio
After World War II, John A. Ciburk enlisted in the U.S. Army after the Merchant Marine rejected him due to his glasses. With jobs scarce as veterans returned home, he joined the Army Air Corps. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Base in Texas, then attended clerk/typist school in Denver. However, due to his short enlistment, the Army redirected him to Fort Worth for B-29 mechanic training. His service soon took him around the world—from England to Japan. While stationed in Japan, he flew forty-three missions over Korea as a flight engineer and mechanic. Although he had hoped to be assigned to Puerto Rico, he took pride in his role in Korea. Ultimately, Ciburk believes that every person who serves, regardless of their assignment, is a hero.
Video Clips
The One Good Thing about General MacArthur
John A. Ciburk explains where he was based in Japan and admits he generally disliked General MacArthur. However, he appreciated one key decision—MacArthur’s refusal to wear ties in the summer. As a result, no one else had to wear them either, a small but welcome relief in the heat.
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Bombing in North Korea
John A. Ciburk recounts several bombing missions over North Korea, including strikes on an oil refinery, roads, and bridges to disrupt enemy movement. Later, when Chinese forces entered the war, his unit received orders to bomb villages, as Chinese troops were using them for housing. These missions marked a shift in their strategic targets.
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Fear of Jumping
John A. Ciburk recalls bailing out of a failing plane after two engines caught fire. Dense fog and nearby mountains made it hard to tell when they might crash. Although he had feared heights since childhood, he jumped. Tragically, one crew member, paralyzed by fear, didn’t—and lost his life when the plane went down.
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Stationed in "Puerto Rico"
John A. Ciburk extended his enlistment hoping to be stationed in Puerto Rico. However, after the Korean War began, the government redirected him to Japan instead. Upon arriving at Yokota Air Base, he was greeted by a large, sarcastic sign that read, “Welcome to Puerto Rico,” marking the unexpected change in his plans.
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Flights and Mishaps
John A. Ciburk shares that he flew 43 bombing missions, each carrying 20,000 pounds of bombs. He recalls two close calls—on one mission, a malfunctioning bomb door forced an early drop, missing the target. On another, two engines caught fire mid-air, and the crew had to parachute to safety. Fortunately, both incidents ended without casualties.
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