James Arthur Burns was born June 10, 1945 in Norwood, Rhode Island. He was one of five children born to Francis and Harriette Burns. His father retired from the Navy and settled in Granby, Connecticut where Jim graduated from Granby Memorial High School. He was an outstanding student, stellar athlete and Senior class President. He was awarded an NROTC regular scholarship to The University of Texas in 1963.
He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and attended The Basic School where he was honor graduate of Basic Class 9-68. He then proceeded to Vietnamese language training. He arrived in the Republic of Vietnam November 5, 1968 and served with Co. L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. He had completed a tour as a platoon commander and was serving as Executive Officer of his company. On September 13, 1969, Company L engaged the Communist North Vietnamese insurgents in the vicinity of Quang Tri Provence, Republic of Vietnam. James was fatally wounded by gunshot wounds to the back and died instantly at 7:20 p.m. on that date, just two months prior to completing his tour of duty.
1st Lt James A. Burns, USMC was awarded the Bronze Star with the Combat Distinguishing Device, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the National Order of Viet Nam and the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with palm.
Besides his parents, Jim left two sisters, Miss Dorothy Burns and Miss Judith Burns both of Granby; two brothers, Francis J. Burns, Jr. and Stephen W. Burns, both of Granby, his maternal grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Ellis Sr. of Warwick, RI and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Julia Burns of Somerville, MA.
He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and attended The Basic School where he was honor graduate of Basic Class 9-68. He then proceeded to Vietnamese language training. He arrived in the Republic of Vietnam November 5, 1968 and served with Co. L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. He had completed a tour as a platoon commander and was serving as Executive Officer of his company. On September 13, 1969, Company L engaged the Communist North Vietnamese insurgents in the vicinity of Quang Tri Provence, Republic of Vietnam. James was fatally wounded by gunshot wounds to the back and died instantly at 7:20 p.m. on that date, just two months prior to completing his tour of duty.
1st Lt James A. Burns, USMC was awarded the Bronze Star with the Combat Distinguishing Device, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the National Order of Viet Nam and the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with palm.
Besides his parents, Jim left two sisters, Miss Dorothy Burns and Miss Judith Burns both of Granby; two brothers, Francis J. Burns, Jr. and Stephen W. Burns, both of Granby, his maternal grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Ellis Sr. of Warwick, RI and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Julia Burns of Somerville, MA.
James Arthur Burns was born June 10, 1945 in Norwood, Rhode Island. He was one of five children born to Francis and Harriette Burns. His father retired from the Navy and settled in Granby, Connecticut where Jim graduated from Granby Memorial High School. He was an outstanding student, stellar athlete and Senior class President. He was awarded an NROTC regular scholarship to The University of Texas in 1963.
He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and attended The Basic School where he was honor graduate of Basic Class 9-68. He then proceeded to Vietnamese language training. He arrived in the Republic of Vietnam November 5, 1968 and served with Co. L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. He had completed a tour as a platoon commander and was serving as Executive Officer of his company. On September 13, 1969, Company L engaged the Communist North Vietnamese insurgents in the vicinity of Quang Tri Provence, Republic of Vietnam. James was fatally wounded by gunshot wounds to the back and died instantly at 7:20 p.m. on that date, just two months prior to completing his tour of duty.
1st Lt James A. Burns, USMC was awarded the Bronze Star with the Combat Distinguishing Device, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the National Order of Viet Nam and the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with palm.
Besides his parents, Jim left two sisters, Miss Dorothy Burns and Miss Judith Burns both of Granby; two brothers, Francis J. Burns, Jr. and Stephen W. Burns, both of Granby, his maternal grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Ellis Sr. of Warwick, RI and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Julia Burns of Somerville, MA.
He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and attended The Basic School where he was honor graduate of Basic Class 9-68. He then proceeded to Vietnamese language training. He arrived in the Republic of Vietnam November 5, 1968 and served with Co. L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. He had completed a tour as a platoon commander and was serving as Executive Officer of his company. On September 13, 1969, Company L engaged the Communist North Vietnamese insurgents in the vicinity of Quang Tri Provence, Republic of Vietnam. James was fatally wounded by gunshot wounds to the back and died instantly at 7:20 p.m. on that date, just two months prior to completing his tour of duty.
1st Lt James A. Burns, USMC was awarded the Bronze Star with the Combat Distinguishing Device, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the National Order of Viet Nam and the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with palm.
Besides his parents, Jim left two sisters, Miss Dorothy Burns and Miss Judith Burns both of Granby; two brothers, Francis J. Burns, Jr. and Stephen W. Burns, both of Granby, his maternal grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Ellis Sr. of Warwick, RI and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Julia Burns of Somerville, MA.
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