Vernon Burge attended school in West Lebanon, where his father worked as a blacksmith. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1907 and was assigned to the Balloon Attachment of the Signal Corps. He later became part of the first United States military aviation unit, and in 1912 he became the first American enlisted man to be certified as a military pilot.Warren County Historical Society 2002, pp. 190–191.
Vernon Burge attended school in West Lebanon where his father worked as a blacksmith After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army in 1907 and was assigned to the Balloon Attachment of the Signal Corps He later became part of the first United States military aviation unit and in 1912 he became the first American enlisted man to be certified as a military pilotWarren County Historical Society 2002 pp 190–191