The family of SGT JOHN BROOKS TALLEY JR., 89, USA, KOREAN WAR VETERAN, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend services for their Hero on 18 MARCH 2022. We are Honored to attend.
John Brooks Talley Jr. was born in Honolulu Hawaii on April 1,1932 and passed away peacefully on March 2, 2022, at the age of 89. He was born to his parents John Brooks Talley Sr. and Marie Martin of Honolulu, Hawaii where they resided until 1942 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. John Talley Jr. recalled his memories living in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, watching low flying Japanese aircraft on route to Pearl Harbor. He stated, “They flew low enough you could see the pilot in the cockpit.” John witnessed the black smoke pluming from the Harbor where his father was working, that morning, as a crane operator known as the “Hammerhead Crane” which was one of the largest structures on the harbor. He was not able to see his father for a few days after the attack due to martial law that took place, His Dad was restricted to his post to continue operating the crane where he performed duties such as lowering of oxygen bottles to personnel trapped in the disabled ships.
After leaving Hawaii in 1942 his family moved to Long Beach California where Johns father took employment as an Engineer for the railroad. After hearing an announcement that a Naval Base was to be built the family once again moved this time to China Lake California in 1944 where his father took another position as Engineer to the railroad for public works.
John attended elementary school and High School in China Lake and graduated from Burroughs High School in 1950. He participated in all sports lettering in track, swimming, basketball, and football where he was captain of the team for 2 years.
John enlisted in the United States Army in 1950 and was sent to Korea where he worked in the 45th MASH Unit and the United Nations Personnel and Medical processing unit I Corps 8th Army also known as “Freedom Village” holding the rank of Sergeant. After 2 years in Korea, he was Honorably discharged in 1953 at the rank of Sergeant.
Shortly after the military John enrolled in the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, this led him back to China Lake to start his career as a tracker in the range department known then as USNOTS he was hired in 1954. During his career John enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1968 as a Crewman and Two-Master, then Communicator and eventually being elected as Flotilla Commander in 1972. John worked until he retired in 1988 with 37 years of military and government service. He went on to work for several contractors on the base continuing to operate the M-45 camera mounts until calling it quits in 2015 at 83 years old.
John is survived by his son John B. Talley III, Daughters Jean and Jill, a Sister Ettie Gardner, and he has 9 Grandchildren and 11 Great Grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the Hero and his family from the mortuary to the cemetery. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. If you prefer to meet the procession at the cemetery please feel free to do so.
TIMETABLE FOR FRIDAY, 18 MARCH 2022:0615 – STAGE at Holland and Lyons Mortuary, 216 S. Norma St. Ridgecrest, CA 93555
https://goo.gl/maps/tbvzArjcTWpEmXnE7 0630 – MISSION BRIEF
0645 – Flag line for dignified transfer of Hero from Mortuary to Coach.
0700 – KSU (est) time for Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd., Arvin, CA 93203. (Drive time= 1 hour 30 mins.)
https://goo.gl/maps/9sspdEorQ7du3VZS60830 – ARRIVAL (est) at BNC
0910 – MOVE to COMMITTAL SHELTER
0920 – FLAG LINE – For dignified transfer of Hero from Coach to Committal area and Military Honors.
1000 – DISMISSED (est).
***NOTES*** Please bring face covering and have them available for use while at the cemetery.
Bring collapsible flags for flag line. Weather is predicted to be cold and possibly windy so please plan for cold weather.
R/C Scot Tomlinson
SoCalPGR Ride Captain760 499 4950
tomlinsonscot@yahoo.com
IWV Patriot Guard Riders on FB
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent with honor and respect for our Heroes—no talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we honor.
