THE SOLDIER
The infamous "Screaming Eagle" patch worn by the 101st Airborne Division that Burns served in during World War II.
Lt. Bob Burns - - listed only as "chutist" in this photo with the smiling crew of the plane that would drop him and his Item Company 502nd men for their second combat jump (into Nazi-occupied Holland). The 502nd is nicknamed the "Widowmakers." (Photo taken September 17, 1944 in England.)
Lt. Burns in England with medical kit on helmet and life preserver around his neck before jumping into Holland on September 17, 1944.
Photo taken in Mourmelon, France in December 1944. Lt. Burns served as the 101st Airborne Division Athletic Officer from 1943 - 1945. A program for the Champagne Bowl hangs on the wall over Burns' shoulder. That game was to happen on Christmas Day 1944. The game was cancelled because of the German offensive into Bastogne, Belgium. Burns and his airborne comrades were rushed to the fight in trucks. Lt. Graham Armstrong (right) served as the Assistant Athletic Officer of the Division. He was a professional baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals prior to WWII.
First Lieutenant Bob Burns (second from right) with other Item Company 502nd officers - - - on the cover of a book by WWII Historian Mark Bando. Photo taken in Holland in the fall of 1944.
The five 101st Airborne Division / 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment / Item Company officers in Holland, fall 1944.
The five 101st Airborne Division / 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment / Item Company officers in Holland, fall 1944.
Lt. Burns on right in front of his 2nd Platoon in Holland - - on "the Island" - - Fall of 1944.
The 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) "Screaming Eagles" before their game against the 506th PIR "Sky Train" in Reading, England in the spring of 1944. Lt. Bob Burns is #19. Burns was the 101st Airborne Division Athletic Officer from 1943 - 1945 at Fort Bragg and in Europe.
The 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) "Screaming Eagles" starting 11 who played against the 506th PIR "Sky Train" in Reading, England in the spring of 1944. Lt. Bob Burns is #19. Burns was the 101st Airborne Division Athletic Officer from 1943 - 1945 at Fort Bragg and in Europe. Other now-famous 101st Division soldiers from WWII Europe battles are listed as well.
Charlotte, North Carolina newspaper article of 101st Airborne Division athletic officer and 502nd paratrooper - - Lieutenant Bob Burns (on left) - - defeating local heavyweight Bill Wilson at the Carolinas Golden Gloves tournament in 1943. Burns saved this article until his death in 2000.
War telegram to Bob Burns' mother in Sioux City, Iowa. Burns was injured in the Battle of the Bulge (January 1945) and spent 13 days in the hospital for frostbite before returning to action with the 101st Airborne Division in Alsace, France.
Lt. Burns appears in multiple books by WWII and 101st Airborne Division historian Mark Bando.
Bob Burns with his son, Bob Burns Jr., on the 50th Anniversary of D-Day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Taken June 6, 1994. Portrait painting of Burns was done by his son Jim Burns.
Lt. Burns' WWII medals; including the Silver Star, Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Presidential Unit Citation.
Bob Burns is buried at Arlington National Cemetery along with his wife LaVerne (Drabek) Burns.