Burl Newport

Burl Newport (April 22, 1910 – Sept. 2, 1943) was a soldier from Robbins who was lost during World War II.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born April 22, 1910, Burl Newport was the son of Reuben Newport (1867-1912) and Elizabeth Long (1867-1938) of Robbins. His siblings included Trucie Jeffers (1892-1983), Luther Newport (1895-1971), Maggie N. Lowe (1897-1957), Rose Armes (1902-1985), Alta Smith (1905-1955), Martha Ayers (1907-1986) and Robert Newport (1912-2000).

The next-to-youngest of the Newport children, Burl saw both of his parents die before the war. His father died when he was only a child, and his mother died in 1938. Both are buried at the Pemberton Cemetery on Sawmill Road between East Robbins and Low Gap.

World War II

MSgt. Newport enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Jan. 15, 1941, at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Ga. At the time of his enlistment, he was single with no dependents. His employment was as a mechanic.

He was assigned to the 400th Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group and served in the Pacific theater of World War II.

On Sept. 2, 1943, a B-24D departed from Wards Drome in New Guinea and was lost. The circumstances are unknown. Searches were conducted on Sept. 2 and Sept. 4, but the plane and crew were never located. MSgt. Newport was an engineer on the flight. He was one of nine servicemen aboard the flight, including four crew members and five passengers.

Aftermath

All crew members aboard the plane are commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

He is listed on the VFW Post 5669 Memorial Wall in Oneida, the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville.