Brunger was raised on a Michigan farm and farmed 1400 acres with his grandfather and father. He was the eldest of ten siblings. He attended Martin School, a one room school in Venice Township, Shiawassee County, kindergarten through the 4th grade. In the 5th grade, he was enrolled into the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Elementary School in Owosso, grades first through 8th. Brunger was a 1966 graduate of Corunna High School and participated in the FFA with many leadership roles, earning the FFA Degree of State Farmer.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1967, John was trained in the use of many firearms, bayonet training, and hand to hand combat at Fort Knox, Kentucky and trained on helicopters at Fort Eustis, Virginia. His extensive training was on the Bell UH-1 and the Hughes OH-6A helicopters. He received a meritorious promotion to Specialist 5 (E-5) in 6 months.

Served in the Republic of Vietnam with the 1st Aviation in 1968 as an OH-6A helicopter crew chief (MOS 67v20). Received numerous military awards and citations. He returned from Vietnam and served at Hunter AAF in Savannah, Georgia for 12 months with run-up orders on the Bell H-13 Sioux which was an American single-engine helicopter, training Vietnamese pilots.

John's gg grandfathers' served during the Civil War. One of those was in the 23rd Michigan Infantry (John Wesley Burleson, Jr. 48657521). Burleson was discharged in 1865 from an area in Tennessee. Heading home by train from Louisville, Kentucky, Burleson had his discharge papers stamped in Louisville. While 102 years later, Brunger was entering the Army for basic training at that same Louisville location, arriving by train in 1967.

One gg grandfather was in Baxter's Tennessee Light Artillery of the Tennessee Army (William Macey "Billy" Sullivan 64078990). While fighting at Chickamauga, they expended 13 rounds of ammunition with 2 casualties. He was later captured by Sherman forces in 1864 near Macon, Georgia.

For any USA Marine reading this far down the page, Brunger's cousin, Brig. General Margaret Brewer #124606600, was the very first woman Marine Corps general.

Brunger holds degrees in political science, history, computer science, and education. Interned under Governor Jimmy Carter in 1974. Worked in the federal government as a housing specialist for 2 years.

Worked for Bayer, AG and Marubeni. Worked at Fort Howard Paper Company from 1988 to 1991, making paper towels and toilet paper near Savannah, Georgia. Held a Georgia Insurance license. Held a California real estate license. Owned a battery business.

Starting in 1995 taught high school as a certified Texas composite social studies teacher which included geography, world history, United States history, government, and economics. As a retired teacher, he is credited with 20 years of service.

Participated in many civic organizations such as the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association, Texas State Teacher Association, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Civil Air Patrol, and American Legion. He is a life member in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association. He held officer positions in numerous civic organizations.

Attended: Michigan State University, Georgia Southern (College) University, The University of Texas at Arlington, and Walden University. Follower of Jesus and currently retired. Brunger's wife is an Army veteran. He has one daughter and his son-in-law serves in the Army as an officer on active duty. Three grandchildren are still at home.

Brunger was raised on a Michigan farm and farmed 1400 acres with his grandfather and father. He was the eldest of ten siblings. He attended Martin School, a one room school in Venice Township, Shiawassee County, kindergarten through the 4th grade. In the 5th grade, he was enrolled into the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Elementary School in Owosso, grades first through 8th. Brunger was a 1966 graduate of Corunna High School and participated in the FFA with many leadership roles, earning the FFA Degree of State Farmer.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1967, John was trained in the use of many firearms, bayonet training, and hand to hand combat at Fort Knox, Kentucky and trained on helicopters at Fort Eustis, Virginia. His extensive training was on the Bell UH-1 and the Hughes OH-6A helicopters. He received a meritorious promotion to Specialist 5 (E-5) in 6 months.

Served in the Republic of Vietnam with the 1st Aviation in 1968 as an OH-6A helicopter crew chief (MOS 67v20). Received numerous military awards and citations. He returned from Vietnam and served at Hunter AAF in Savannah, Georgia for 12 months with run-up orders on the Bell H-13 Sioux which was an American single-engine helicopter, training Vietnamese pilots.

John's gg grandfathers' served during the Civil War. One of those was in the 23rd Michigan Infantry (John Wesley Burleson, Jr. 48657521). Burleson was discharged in 1865 from an area in Tennessee. Heading home by train from Louisville, Kentucky, Burleson had his discharge papers stamped in Louisville. While 102 years later, Brunger was entering the Army for basic training at that same Louisville location, arriving by train in 1967.

One gg grandfather was in Baxter's Tennessee Light Artillery of the Tennessee Army (William Macey "Billy" Sullivan 64078990). While fighting at Chickamauga, they expended 13 rounds of ammunition with 2 casualties. He was later captured by Sherman forces in 1864 near Macon, Georgia.

For any USA Marine reading this far down the page, Brunger's cousin, Brig. General Margaret Brewer #124606600, was the very first woman Marine Corps general.

Brunger holds degrees in political science, history, computer science, and education. Interned under Governor Jimmy Carter in 1974. Worked in the federal government as a housing specialist for 2 years.

Worked for Bayer, AG and Marubeni. Worked at Fort Howard Paper Company from 1988 to 1991, making paper towels and toilet paper near Savannah, Georgia. Held a Georgia Insurance license. Held a California real estate license. Owned a battery business.

Starting in 1995 taught high school as a certified Texas composite social studies teacher which included geography, world history, United States history, government, and economics. As a retired teacher, he is credited with 20 years of service.

Participated in many civic organizations such as the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association, Texas State Teacher Association, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Civil Air Patrol, and American Legion. He is a life member in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association. He held officer positions in numerous civic organizations.

Attended: Michigan State University, Georgia Southern (College) University, The University of Texas at Arlington, and Walden University. Follower of Jesus and currently retired. Brunger's wife is an Army veteran. He has one daughter and his son-in-law serves in the Army as an officer on active duty. Three grandchildren are still at home.