John Francis Burnes

John Francis Burnes (July 12, 1883 – June 14, 1918) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps during World War I and the first Marine Mustang.

USMC Marine Gunners 1917
John Francis Burnes
Nickname(s)Martin J. Maher
Born12 July 1883
Binghamton, New York, US
Died14 June 1918 (aged 34)
Belleau Wood, France
Place of burial
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1904–1918
RankCaptain
Battles/warsWorld War I
*Battle of Belleau Wood  (DOW)
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star Citation

Biography

He was born in Binghamton, New York, as Martin J. Maher, son of Martin C. Maher and Bridget Kelley. He grew up in Corning, New York, and in 1900 US Census is listed as working as an iron moulder in that city. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1904 as John Francis Burnes.

His overseas stations include Panama (1904, 1913), Santo Domingo (1905), Cuba (1906–1909),the Philippine Islands (1909–1910, 18 Jul 1913 – 30 Sep 1913), Nicaragua (5 Sep 1912 – 16 Jan 1913), Peking (1914), and France (1918). He was promoted to 1st sergeant in May 1907 and to sergeant major on 28 Sep 1916.

On December 9, 1916, in a letter signed (by direction) by John A. LeJeune, Burnes was "designated to take the examination for appointment as Marine Gunner (General Duties)". Burnes passed those examinations with a final average of 96.46%, and on 24 March 1917, Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels signed off on the appointment, making Burnes a Marine Mustang. Burnes was discharged from his enlistment so that he could accept the appointment as Marine Gunner (a rank equivalent to Chief Warrant Officer).[1]

The US entered WW1 in April 1917, and military promotions were accelerated. Burnes was commissioned as a 1stLt (temporary) on 2 June 1917 and then as a Captain (temporary) on 3 June 1917.

He served with the 74th Company in the 6th Regiment of the USMC in France, where his gallant service in battle was recognized posthumously by the Distinguished Service Cross. "In the attack on the Bois de Belleau June 12, 1918 he was badly wounded but completed disposition of his platoon under violent fire. The injuries which he sustained in the performance of this self-sacrificing duty later caused his death." He was also awarded the Navy Cross and a Silver Star citation.

His remains were repatriated in July 1921, and he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery (Section Sou., Lot 4472 WH).

Awards and decorations

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain John F. Burnes (MCSN: 0-2061), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action in the attack on Bois-de-Belleau, France, 12 June 1918. Captain Burnes was badly wounded, but completed the disposition of his platoon under violent fire. The injuries which he sustained in the performance of this self-sacrificing duty later caused his death.

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain John F. Burnes (MCSN: 0-2061), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action in the attack on Bois-de-Belleau, France, 12 June 1918. Captain Burnes was badly wounded, but completed the disposition of his platoon under violent fire. The injuries which he sustained in the performance of this self-sacrificing duty later caused his death.[2]

Comendations

Capt Burnes' awards include:[3]

Namesake

The destroyer USS John Francis Burnes (DD-299) was named for him.

See also

References
  1. John Burnes's Service Records from Archives in St. Louis Missouri
  2. "John F. Burnes". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  3. "Burnes, John Francis, Capt". marines.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
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