Richard Wight “Dick” Burt was born on July 12, 1924, in Bear River City, Box Elder County, Utah. He was the son of Reginald Nelson Burt and Mary Amelia Wight Burt. He was married to Evelyn Deem Burt. He is a graduate of Box Elder High School. He served in the 761st Bomb Squad, 460th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and a Radio Gunner on a B-24 bomber based in Spinazzola Italy.
On his fourth mission, his plane was shot down over Yugoslavia on November 17, 1944, and he was captured by the Germans, and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft IV in Braunau, near Krems, Austria. He survived the infamous "Death March" across Germany, an 83-day journey in which many of his comrades perished. After the war, Richard pursued an aviation career, becoming an Army helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, eventually retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 and Army Master Aviator. Richard also served in the Vietnam War from 1968 up to 1969.
In retirement, he authored books on his ancestry, crafted furniture, and remained active in church leadership roles. CW4 Burt died on October 20, 2012, and is now buried in the Brigham City Cemetery, Brigham City, Box Elder County, Utah, USA.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com