Burgamy served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1971 after dropping out of college in his sophomore year. After completion of Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego, and Infantry Training at Camp Pendleton, CA, he attended Basic Disbursing School in Camp Lejune, N.C. and later the NCO Leadership Academy at Quantico, VA, graduating second in each of his classes. He arrived in VietNam May1969, first posted at Quang Tri Combat Base, then at Dong Ha Combat Base in I Corps with the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division some 6 miles from the DMZ. In 1970 he was posted to Okinawa, from which he served on float with the 29th Marines and the Air Wing aboard the LPH (Landing Platform Helicopter) New Orleans and then the Tripoli. Both LPHs returned to VietNam as part of their combat missions.
He served in the Marine Corps with his cousin, James Dale Palmer, who was severely wounded in fierce combat and never fully recovered before dying much too young.
After his service Burgamy returned to college, then graduate school, and law school before joining the Peace Corps where he served for two and a half years in Costa Rica. He was honored to be named a Harvard Teaching Fellow in 1981. He has taught university in Kuwait, Malaysia, and Costa Rica. Burgamy ended his career in education as a principal and a director of public schools with the Sequoia Union High School District in California. He is the proud father of Corinne Reneé, and overjoyed with his grandchildren, Andres Gael and Camila Reneé. He is fortunate to have found Patti Crisafi, the love of his life in his twilight years.
Burgamy attempts to live a life of gratitude and remembrance of all those VietNam veterans not as fortunate. He appreciates the VA, his counselor Daniel Boitano, and his fellow Vets in the San Jose PTSD group for their support and healing. He gives thanks to Craige Edgerton for his vision, drive and leadership through the creative process to bring our stories to fruition and publication.
