BURNEY, JOHN JAY JR. – SSGT, US ARMY
Class of 1943Service: U.S. Army
Service Dates: 1943-1945
Rank: STAFF SERGEANT
MOS: INFANTRY
Notable: WW2, 2 PURPLE HEARTS
John Burney graduated from New Hanover High School in 1943 and went into the United States Army. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the 254th Infantry, Company A, 63rd Division of the U S Army from June 1943 to September 1945 and received the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Medaille de Services Vointaires-dan la France Libre, Medaille de la France Libre, Arms of the City of Colmar and Battle de Jebsheim. After receiving his honorable discharge, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest College in 1950 and from Wake Forest College Law School in 1951. He was a member of St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church. Mr. Burney received his license to practice law in North Carolina in 1951 and is a charter member of the N. C. Academy of Trial Lawyers. He returned to Wilmington and formed a partnership with Colonel R. S. McClelland known as McClelland and Burney. He served as Solicitor now called District Attorney for the Eighth Solicitoral District of North Carolina from 1954 to 1963. He was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1967 and served until 1972. During his three terms of service in the North Carolina State Legislature, Burney was deeply involved with environmental and educational issues, taxation, property insurance for coastal homeowners, and amendments to state law dealing with the sale of alcoholic beverages. He also played an active role in preventing a restructuring of the North Carolina higher education systems. While serving in the legislature, he was instrumental in Wilmington College becoming a part of the University of North Carolina System. He was a powerful advocate for our region while serving in the General Assembly. https://www.andrewsmortuary.com/obituary/5133210
Accolades: Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Medaille de Services Vointaires-dan la France Libre, Medaille de la France Libre, Arms of the City of Colmar and Battle de Jebsheim.
Accolades: Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Medaille de Services Vointaires-dan la France Libre, Medaille de la France Libre, Arms of the City of Colmar and Battle de Jebsheim.