THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BURNS John (Blackie)

30055, Lieutenant Colonel, 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery

CITATION

Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 30 April 1954

In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea, during the period 1st to 27 July 1953.  Lieutenant Colonel Burns took command of 16th

New Zealand Field Regiment early in February 1953 when 2nd United States Division were being supported by 1st Commonwealth Divisional Artillery

His Regiment was in support of 9th United States Infantry Regiment and he consistently rendered outstanding service during the period of extreme

patrol activity.  On 2nd March, the enemy launched a two company attack on a forward company in the Point 355 area and achieved some

penetration.  Again on 17th March two Chinese companies attacked the same position causing over 150 casualties but were themselves very severely

mauled.  In both these action In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea, during the period 1st to 27 July 1953.  Lieutenant Colonel

BURNS took command of 16th New Zealand Field Regiment early in February 1953 when 2nd United States Division were being supported by 1st

Commonwealth Divisional Artillery by his calm and purposeful handling of the artillery was largely responsible for restoring the position and inflicting

crippling casualties.  Throughout the ten weeks he supported 9th Infantry Regiment he gained himself a high reputation for his courage under fire and his calm efficiency during a host of minor actions.  Later on the nights of 24th, 25th July when in support of 28th Infantry Brigade Hook, the Chinese launched a Divisional scale attack on the Marines. An estimated Brigade came in on Point 111 in the Marine sector and on Point 121 on the left of our sector.  The supporting fire given by In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea, during the period 1st to 27 July 1953.  Lieutenant Colonel BURNS took command of 16th New Zealand Field Regiment early in February 1953 when 2nd United States Division were being supported by 1st Commonwealth Divisional Artilliery was devastating and again his calm and skilful work proved decisive.  Scores of Chinese bodies to be seen on the wire after the Armistice bore witness to the effect of the Artillery fire.

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Gazetted

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Service Order

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

Queen's Korea Medal

United Nations Medal Korea

Coronation Medal 1953

Korean War Medal (Korea)

NOTES

Born 30 November 1917, Napier, New Zealand

Died 11 January 2003, New Zealand

For further reading see http://riv.co.nz/rnza/folk/obblackie.htm