Rank: Staff Sergeant
Unit: I Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Valorous Unit Award, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 10-Jun-2029
Hometown: Due West, South Carolina
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 17-Feb-1962
Start of tour: 2-Jul-1967
Incident date: 24-Sep-1967
Date of casualty: 24-Sep-1967
Age at death: 38
Cause of death: Hostile, Died. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Walter Burns was on a combat operation when hit by fragments from hostile mine.
Location of fatality: Long Khanh, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Mount Zion AME Church Cemetery, South Carolina, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
STAFF SERGEANT WALTER BURNS
24 SEPTEMBER 1967
3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Staff Sergeant Burns distinguished himself by valorous actions on 24 September 1967, while serving as an Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle Commander with the 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. During the early morning hours, the troop was preparing to move from its night defensive position to continue search and destroy operations. As the Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles moved from the perimeter, an insurgent command detonated mine suddenly exploded directly to the front of the lead vehicle. The Troop Commander immediately ordered a dismounted security patrol to search the dense jungle. Unhesitatingly, Sergeant Burns volunteered to lead the patrol and after several minutes of investigation, Sergeant Burns observed a minute strand of enemy detonating wire leading into the thick undergrowth. Sergeant Burns skillfully directed his men to deliver a withering barrage of suppressive, reconnaissance fire into the suspected enemy fortifications. Assured that the jungle was relatively free of Viet Cong positions, Sergeant Burns, bravely proceeded alone to examine the nature and origin of the insurgent detonating wire. As he cautiously moved through the deep growth of plants, a second Viet Cong mine exploded, inflicting severe wounds to Sergeant Burns. Disregarding his painful injuries, Sergeant Burns attempted to return to the location of the remaining members of his patrol to inform them of the situation. Staff Sergeant Burns’ personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division General Orders No. 5202 (6 October 1967)