James P. Buriak

MEDALS-RIBBONS: Navy "E" Ribbon, Good Conduct (2), National
Defense Service, Global War on Terrorism Service, Armed Forces
Service, Sea Service Deployment (2), Expert Rifle Marksmanship,
Sharpshooter Pistol Marksmanship.

James Buriak served as a Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) Rescue Swimmer.
His first rescue was off the coast of Gun Beach located at Tamuning, Guam on
February 8, 2020. While stationed at HSC-8, he departed for his final flight
on LOOSEFOOT 616 from Uss Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on August 31,
2021.

AWS1 James Philip Buriak, USN died 31 August 2021in LOOSEFOOT 616 with 4 other crew member off the coast of San Diego. Jimmy served as a naval aircrew man rescue swimmer (AWS) with HSC-8.

Jimmy was born, 09 May 1990 in Salem, VA. He graduated from Salem High School, Roanoke College in 2012 and joined the Navy in 2017. He spent time training in San Diego and Pensacola before being assigned to HSC-8 in Coronado, CA. He deployed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt for two back-to-back tours and multiple detachments before departing for the USS Abraham Lincoln. 

Jimmy was an uncommon man. He held qualities that could not be given but rather earned. He was an exemplary dad who loved his son, not only a husband but a soul mate to his wife, a beloved son and brother. Jimmy was an avid cross fitter who would put your endurance and strength to task. He prided himself on physical fitness and being able to not only protect his family, but others if needed. The best example of his courage, heroism, and ability to live up to the motto “So Others May Live” is when he got his first save at Gun Beach, Guam on 08 February 2020 while off duty and earned the Navy Commendation Medal. Jimmy loved his family and lived every day like it was his last. He held his friends and family close and built memories that will last a lifetime.

He is survived by his wife Megan, son Caulder Philip, parents James and Carol Buriak, sister Laura and soon to be brother-in-law Eric Zickefoose. 

Jimmy lived by these rules for success: 1. Do the work, don’t be lazy. 2. Stop waiting, it is time. 3. Rely on yourself, the universe doesn’t care. 4. Be practical, success is not a theory. 5. Be productive early. 6. Don’t be a baby, life is hard- get on with it. 7. Don’t hang out with halfwits. 8. Don’t waste energy on things you cannot control 9. Don’t be a people pleaser. 10. Don’t do the same thing over and over and expect things to happen.

“Those who have enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” Franklin Roosevelt