Individual Details
Paul Burns Junior
(21 Aug 1922 - 25 Dec 1944)
Paul Burns, Jr. was a paratrooper in Company A, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion. He died in the Battle of the Bulge at a road block near Bastogne. The Americans were surrounded by Germans, but refused to surrender. The American General is said to replied to the German demand to surrender, "Nuts."
The 509th was an independent battalion and was attached to several different divisions during the Battle of the Bulge:
Attached to the 101st Airborne from 11/22/1944 through 12/18/1944.
Attached to the 3rd Armored Division from 12/23/1944 through 12/29/1944.
Attached to the 75th Infantry Division from 12/29/1944 through 1/1/1945.
Attached to the 7th Armored Division from 1/11/1945 through 1/28/1945.
At the time of his death Paul Burns and the 509th were attached to the 3rd Armored.
There is reference to Paul L. Burns in the book "Stand in the Door: The Wartime History of the Elite 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion," page 318. He was one of several solders referred to as having been left. The 509th and other units were withdrawing under pressure from the Germans and it was not unusual for wounded solders to be left to the care of the enemy.
You may be interested to know that on January 7, 1945, the 509th was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their action during the period 22-30 December 1944 in the area south of Manhay, Belgium.
The 509th was an independent battalion and was attached to several different divisions during the Battle of the Bulge:
Attached to the 101st Airborne from 11/22/1944 through 12/18/1944.
Attached to the 3rd Armored Division from 12/23/1944 through 12/29/1944.
Attached to the 75th Infantry Division from 12/29/1944 through 1/1/1945.
Attached to the 7th Armored Division from 1/11/1945 through 1/28/1945.
At the time of his death Paul Burns and the 509th were attached to the 3rd Armored.
There is reference to Paul L. Burns in the book "Stand in the Door: The Wartime History of the Elite 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion," page 318. He was one of several solders referred to as having been left. The 509th and other units were withdrawing under pressure from the Germans and it was not unusual for wounded solders to be left to the care of the enemy.
You may be interested to know that on January 7, 1945, the 509th was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for their action during the period 22-30 December 1944 in the area south of Manhay, Belgium.
Events
| Birth | 21 Aug 1922 | ||||
| Death | 25 Dec 1944 | Manhay, , Belgium |
Families
| Father | Paul D. Burns Senior (1898 - 1977) |
| Mother | Alma M. Glenn (1898 - 1955) |