More detail on this person: Col. John E.
Pirkle, 73, husband of 51 years to Faye Pirkle,
entered into rest on Friday, September 30, 2011.
Burial with military honors was held on October 5,
2011 at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton,
GA.
A native of Cumming, GA, John graduated from
Forsyth County High School. He attended North
Georgia College from 1956-1958 and graduated from
the University of Georgia in 1960 with a degree in
Business. He entered into active duty with the
Army in February, 1961 and served until retirement
in August, 1988. John was a graduate of the
Signal Officers Basic and Advanced courses at Fort
Monmouth, NJ, Command and General College at
Ft. Leavenworth, KS, Rotary Wing Aviator Course
and Fixed Wing Transition Course at Ft. Rucker,
AL, Joint Command, Communication, and
Intelligence Course at Norfolk, VA. John was the
recipient of many awards including The Legion of
Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, Two Awards of the
Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of
Gallantry, and Two Awards of the Bronze Star.
He was a Senior Army Aviator with more than 3,000
flight hours in both Helicopter and Fixed Wing
Aircraft. John served in a variety of assignments
in the U.S., Germany, and Vietnam. He was a
helicopter flight instructor at Fort Rucker, AL,
where he taught U.S. and allied officers to fly.
He served two combat tours in Vietnam where he
commanded an assault support Helicopter
Company (CH-47 Chinook). While stationed at Fort
Gordon, he commanded the largest tactical Signal
Battalion in the Army, a unit comprised of 1120
personnel, 220 vehicles, and communication
assemblages. John served on the Army staff in the
Pentagon, the Defense Communication Agency in
Arlington, VA, and as TRADOC system manager for
Combat Net Radio at Fort Gordon.
After retiring from the Army, John started Masters
City Classis Car Parts, which specializes in
restoration parts for the 1953-1982 Corvettes and
Chevrolets. He was a member of the National
Corvette Restorations Society since 1987. He was
a life member of the National Corvette Museum and
was the NCRS representative to the Museum Board
of Directors for over 10 years. He was a member
of Warren Baptist Church where he served as a
deacon and went on several mission trips. He was
a Gideon and a member of the Martinez-Evans
Rotary Club where he served as Secretary for 12
years. John was a Paul Harris Fellow and was
Rotarian of the Year in 2001.
In addition to his wife, John is survived one son
and one daughter and their families, one brother,
and numerous grandchildren, neices and nephews.
If so desired, memorials may be made to Warren
Baptist Church 2020 Vision or Warren Baptist
Church Missions, 3203 Washington Rd., Augusta,
GA 30907. Please sign the guestbook and send
condolences at: www.plattsfuneralhome.com
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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