David L. Burrows

David Burrows is a retired educator and life long military collector. He started collecting as a teenager. David was a physics teacher for 37 years with the Pittsburgh Public schools. He is a frequent contributor to Military Trader as well as the OMSA Journal. His other passion with British cars has resulted in many feature stories both in US publications as well as international publications over the last 30 years.

Articles From This Author

By David L. Burrows
May 11, 2020

Thomas Bingham Buell Naval career spanned nearly five decades. In that time, he rose from Midshipman to become a Commander of destroyers and prominent Naval historian. This graduation photo of Buell was taken in 1958.

By David L. Burrows
Apr 9, 2020

John Kinley Tener, a former professional baseball player who served in the House of Representatives, is also represented on a series of marksman awards of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Militaria Collectibles

By David L. Burrows
Jan 17, 2020

The Battle of Verdun was fought from 21 February to 18 December 1916, was the largest and longest battle of the First World War on the Western Front. Casualties of the German and French armies is estimated at around 770,000. The drawing, “Fighting in a crater during the Battle of Verdun, France” was done by J Simont for the L’Illustrazione Italiana, (XLIII, No 17, April 23, 1916).

By David L. Burrows
Nov 12, 2019

Children dressed in costume honored Prince Ferdinando of Udine, head of the Italian War Commission to the United States, at a ceremony in Lewisohn Stadium at the College of the City of New York, June 23, 1917. Library of Congress Flickr Commons project, 2015

By David L. Burrows
Nov 8, 2019

On Aug. 14, 1945, Japan’s Foreign Minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu, signed the unconditional surrender papers for Emperor Hirohito, thus committing Japan to accept the Potsdam Declaration, on Aug. 14, 1945. Later that day, the emperor called a meeting of his cabinet and instructed them to accept the Allied terms immediately, explaining “I cannot endure the thought of letting my people suffer any longer.” Following the surrender of the Japanese government and the landing of Gen. McArthur in Japan in September 1945, the Potsdam Declaration served as legal basis for occupation by allied forces.

By David L. Burrows
Nov 12, 2019

More than 100 years ago, the U.S. was in a border war with Mexico from 1910 to 1919. Often called the Mexican Border Conflict or even the Bandit War, the U.S. Army stationed along the Mexican border fought with Mexican rebels, bandits, or federal troops of Mexico.

By David L. Burrows
Nov 12, 2019

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By David L. Burrows
Nov 8, 2019

At least ten variants of the Naples Liberation Medal have been identified. On the obverse, the Naples Harbor lacks of any ships on Type 1 and 2 medals (example on the left). On Types 3 and 4 medals, the harbor gains two extra ships as seen on the right.

By David L. Burrows
Nov 13, 2019

Robert F. Goron had been a Technician Fifth Grade with the Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion 357th Infantry Regiment of the 90th Division during WWII. Much of his military career is reflected in the collection of patches, insignia, and medals that I acquired more than 40 years after having first met Mr. Goron.

Photographs and Ephemera

By David L. Burrows
Nov 19, 2019

After the signing of the Armistice, hundreds of Pittsburgh’s sons and daughters returned home to be greeted with parades and celebrations. It has confounded collectors for years, however, that only a handful of WWI Pittsburgh Homecoming Medals could be found. Finally, an explanation has been discovered.

By David L. Burrows
Nov 8, 2019

Victory over the Axis forces produced celebration throughout the nation. Many grateful communities and organizations went beyond celebrations to create special medals for veterans. While not as common as state and local medals produced following the First World War, these WWII medals of appreciation are numerous enough to present an a rewarding challenge for today’s collectors.

By David L. Burrows
Nov 8, 2019

By David L. Burrows
Nov 12, 2019