A local man killed during the invasion of France in June 1944 will be buried in Chadbourn Saturday.
U.S. Navy Carpenter’s Mate 2nd Class William R. Burns, 25, died when his destroyer, the USS Glennon, struck a mine off Quinneville, France on June 8, 1944. Burns and 24 of his shipmates were reported missing during the actions of June 8-10. The U.S. Navy said the Glennon grounded in shallow water and was targeted by German shore batteries while providing antiaircraft cover.
When salve teams began recovering the Glennon in 1957, workers found human remains in the wreck. The remains were buried ashore, and identified using DNA in 2022. Only Burns and three of the other deceased sailors have been positively identified. The Evergreen native was survived by his mother, Fannie Jane Burns.
Burns will be eulogized in a graveside service with full honors Saturday at 11 a.m. at Chadbourn Memorial Cemetery. The public is welcome.
