North Carolina
PFC
222 INF 42 INF DIV
World War II
On Feb 14, 1945, the 42nd Infantry entered combat as a whole, taking up defensive positions near Haguenau in the Hardt Mountains. After a month of extensive patrolling and active defense, the 42nd went on the offensive, attacking through the Hardt Mountains and broke through the Siegfried Line. During March 15-21, they cleared Dahn and Busenberg and mopped up in that general area, while the Third Army created and expanded bridgeheads across the Rhine.
On March 17, 1945, PFC Bums’ squad was pinned down by fire from a German bunker located at the top of a hill. His commanding officer explained the situation to the men, stating that unless the bunker was taken out, they would be picked off one-by-one. Stating outright that it was a suicide mission, he asked for a volunteer. He told them in no uncertain terms that it was highly unlikely the volunteer would make it back. PFC Burns volunteered and the mission was successful! The explosion completely destroyed the bunker.
Success!! The bunker was destroyed, his squad was safe - at least from it - and he was alive. Until he started back. He was hit by a shell that destroyed almost all of this body from the waist down, as well as a portion of his face.
He was interred by the U.S. Army in St Avoid, France, and the remains were disinterred and returned to the family December 1, 1948, where he was buried alongside other family members in Boiling Springs, NC.
For his heroic actions, he was awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart.
Written by Sandy Servin, niece
Contributor: Dogwood777 (47848299)
PFC
222 INF 42 INF DIV
World War II
On Feb 14, 1945, the 42nd Infantry entered combat as a whole, taking up defensive positions near Haguenau in the Hardt Mountains. After a month of extensive patrolling and active defense, the 42nd went on the offensive, attacking through the Hardt Mountains and broke through the Siegfried Line. During March 15-21, they cleared Dahn and Busenberg and mopped up in that general area, while the Third Army created and expanded bridgeheads across the Rhine.
On March 17, 1945, PFC Bums’ squad was pinned down by fire from a German bunker located at the top of a hill. His commanding officer explained the situation to the men, stating that unless the bunker was taken out, they would be picked off one-by-one. Stating outright that it was a suicide mission, he asked for a volunteer. He told them in no uncertain terms that it was highly unlikely the volunteer would make it back. PFC Burns volunteered and the mission was successful! The explosion completely destroyed the bunker.
Success!! The bunker was destroyed, his squad was safe - at least from it - and he was alive. Until he started back. He was hit by a shell that destroyed almost all of this body from the waist down, as well as a portion of his face.
He was interred by the U.S. Army in St Avoid, France, and the remains were disinterred and returned to the family December 1, 1948, where he was buried alongside other family members in Boiling Springs, NC.
For his heroic actions, he was awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart.
Written by Sandy Servin, niece
Contributor: Dogwood777 (47848299)
North Carolina
PFC
222 INF 42 INF DIV
World War II
On Feb 14, 1945, the 42nd Infantry entered combat as a whole, taking up defensive positions near Haguenau in the Hardt Mountains. After a month of extensive patrolling and active defense, the 42nd went on the offensive, attacking through the Hardt Mountains and broke through the Siegfried Line. During March 15-21, they cleared Dahn and Busenberg and mopped up in that general area, while the Third Army created and expanded bridgeheads across the Rhine.
On March 17, 1945, PFC Bums’ squad was pinned down by fire from a German bunker located at the top of a hill. His commanding officer explained the situation to the men, stating that unless the bunker was taken out, they would be picked off one-by-one. Stating outright that it was a suicide mission, he asked for a volunteer. He told them in no uncertain terms that it was highly unlikely the volunteer would make it back. PFC Burns volunteered and the mission was successful! The explosion completely destroyed the bunker.
Success!! The bunker was destroyed, his squad was safe - at least from it - and he was alive. Until he started back. He was hit by a shell that destroyed almost all of this body from the waist down, as well as a portion of his face.
He was interred by the U.S. Army in St Avoid, France, and the remains were disinterred and returned to the family December 1, 1948, where he was buried alongside other family members in Boiling Springs, NC.
For his heroic actions, he was awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart.
Written by Sandy Servin, niece
Contributor: Dogwood777 (47848299)
PFC
222 INF 42 INF DIV
World War II
On Feb 14, 1945, the 42nd Infantry entered combat as a whole, taking up defensive positions near Haguenau in the Hardt Mountains. After a month of extensive patrolling and active defense, the 42nd went on the offensive, attacking through the Hardt Mountains and broke through the Siegfried Line. During March 15-21, they cleared Dahn and Busenberg and mopped up in that general area, while the Third Army created and expanded bridgeheads across the Rhine.
On March 17, 1945, PFC Bums’ squad was pinned down by fire from a German bunker located at the top of a hill. His commanding officer explained the situation to the men, stating that unless the bunker was taken out, they would be picked off one-by-one. Stating outright that it was a suicide mission, he asked for a volunteer. He told them in no uncertain terms that it was highly unlikely the volunteer would make it back. PFC Burns volunteered and the mission was successful! The explosion completely destroyed the bunker.
Success!! The bunker was destroyed, his squad was safe - at least from it - and he was alive. Until he started back. He was hit by a shell that destroyed almost all of this body from the waist down, as well as a portion of his face.
He was interred by the U.S. Army in St Avoid, France, and the remains were disinterred and returned to the family December 1, 1948, where he was buried alongside other family members in Boiling Springs, NC.
For his heroic actions, he was awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart.
Written by Sandy Servin, niece
Contributor: Dogwood777 (47848299)
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