John Van Kuren “Scarsdale Jack” Newkirk was born on October 15, 1913. He was the son of Louis Hasbrouck Newkirk and Edna Alexandria Roos Newkirk. His first job was as a copy boy for the New York Times. He joined the United States Army as an Infantry Lieutenant. He served for 3 years. He left the Army and joined the United States Navy. He went to flight school becoming a Navy pilot serving on the U.S.S. Yorktown. In 1941 he resigned his commission at age 27 and joined the American Volunteer Group in Burma. The American Volunteer Group was known as "The Flying Tigers". He was placed in command of the 2nd Pursuit Squadron "Panda Bears" as Squadron Leader. He lead the 2nd Pursuit Squadron on missions over the famous Burma Road and many missions over China. In 1942 when leading a mission on Lamphun Thailand he was shot down and killed in action. He is now buried in the Saint James the Less Episcopal Church Cemetery, Scarsdale, Westchester County, New York, USA.

John was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com