The son of a New York City Police Department inspector, Burns attended Cornell University and Columbia University. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Burns enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Commissioned through Officer Candidate School, Lt. Burns was assigned to the 4th Marine Division and fought in the Battle of Kwajalein, Battle of Saipan, and the Battle of Iwo Jima where Burns earned two Purple Hearts. During the latter he was a captain and company commander of "A" Company First Battalion 25th Marines and was awarded the Silver Star Medal. Captain Burns located an enemy strongpoint and personally guided a tank in to destroy the emplacement. Burns' two brothers were also captains, one in the army and one in the Marine Corps.