Gen. Thomas R. Burns, Jr., U.S. Army

(Excerpts from newspaper article (obituary) in The Union Leader, Manchester, NH. dated July 26, 1983)

General Burns entered active military service with the 172d Field Artillery Regiment prior to the outbreak of World War II. Shortly thereafter he was promoted to captain. By March 1944 he went to Europe as executive officer, 172d Field Artillery Battalion, and later in the same theater he served as executive officer of the 188th Field Artillery Group. In late 1945, upon return to the United States, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

General Burns assisted in the post war reorganization of the NH National Guard, serving as executive officer of the 195th Regimental Combat Team. In January 1954, he assumed command of the 195th and was appointed colonel in February 1954. In December that year, he took command of the 173d Field Artillery Group and in February 1959 assumed command of the XVII Corps Artillery, which was redesigned II Corps Artillery in May 1959. He was federally recognized as a brigadier general in April 1960.

His decorations and awards include the American Campaign Medal; European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five Battle Stars for Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe; and World War II Victory Medal.

Burns left his wife, Mrs. Esther (Rodier) Burns of Manchester; a son Thomas R. Burns 3rd of Atlanta, GA; a brother Paul W. Burns of Ware, Mass.; two grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Burns was buried with full military honors.

Submitted by son Thomas R. (Tom) Burns 3rd, member of First Baptist Church, Dallas