John R. Burke

John Richard Burke (1924 - 1993) was a Foreign Service officer and the United States Ambassador to Guyana during the Jonestown Massacre.

Born in Wisconsin in 1924, Burke was a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy and commanded the USS Gillette (DE-681) during World War II He also served during the Korean War.

After his Korean service, he earned a Master's Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Burke was the Ambassador to Guyana from September 30, 1977 to September 22, 1979. Burke was alleged to have worked for the CIA, both during his tenure as ambassador and after.

Burke died on 7 August 1993 at his home in Arlington, Virginia.