John Birch was born on May 28, 1918, in Landour, India, to Baptist missionaries George S. Birch (1892-1992) and Ethel M. Birch (1890-1977). He and his family returned to the United States in 1921, and he was raised in New Jersey and Georgia. John graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, in 1939, and then attended the Bible Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, graduating in 1940. From 1940 to 1942, John served as a Baptist missionary in China, and continued to serve through 1945 after joining the U.S. Military. In April 1942, he aided the Doolittle Raiders after they crash-landed in Japanese-controlled areas of China by helping them get to friendly territory. Jimmy Doolittle recommended John to Gen Claire Chennault and Chennault awarded Birch a commission in the U.S. Army Air Forces on July 2, 1942. He went on active duty as an Intelligence Officer with Headquarters, China Air Task Force, at Kunming, China, beginning on July 4, 1942, and he served with that unit until it disbanded and was replaced by the 14th Air Force at Kunming in March 1943. Capt Birch served as an Intelligence Officer with Headquarters Squadron, 14th Air Force, and deployed throughout China on clandestine missions, from March 1943 until he was murdered by Chinese communists while traveling to reach Allied personnel in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp on August 25, 1945. Capt Birch also worked for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II, but managed to continue his missionary work to the Chinese people at the same time. He was buried on a hill overlooking Hsuchow, China. The John Birch Society was named in his honor on December 9, 1958, and he is considered to be the first casualty of the Cold War. Because the U.S. Government did not want to bring attention to what the Chinese communists had done, he has never been awarded the Purple Heart for his death at their hands. He was also recommended for the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Silver Star; none of which were ever awarded to him for his heroism in China.

His 2nd Legion of Merit Citation reads:

For exceptionally meritorious service as an Intelligence Liaison Officer, Fourteenth Air Force, United States Forces, China Theater during the period 18 January 1944 to 25 August 1945. Captain Birch pioneered the intelligence field in Southeast China, collecting highly crucial combat intelligence under the most adverse conditions and under circumstances of extreme hardship, and his unusual tact, enthusiasm and demonstrated organizing and leadership ability were such as to demand the highest respect and fullest cooperation from the Commanding General of the Chinese 9th War Area and his staff, without which his mission could not have been successfully fulfilled. He was instrumental in establishing air-ground liaison operations in the Chinese 9th War Area and personally directed a radio team at the front lines during the Changsha-Hemgyang campaign. Subsequently, Captain Birch was transferred to northern Ankwei and Honan in an area behind enemy lines and in addition to carrying out his intelligence mission with distinction, he also supervised the construction of three air strips which permitted emergency supplies to be brought to positions immediately adjacent to enemy-held territory. Conditions and proximity of the enemy were such in this area that his radio station was twice forced to evacuate without forewarning in order to escape capture. Captain Birch's exceptionally meritorious service was unrestrained and wholehearted devotion to duty represent an important and exceedingly valuable contribution to the war effort in China and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.