George Henry L. Burns was born in Knoxville on June 16, 1889. He was the son of George H. and Mary M. Burns. He had two sisters, Hattie P. Burns and Mary M. J. Burns, and one brother, James Bertie Burns. He also lived with his uncle, John R. Naue, and cousin, Clarence C. Naue. Prior to joining the military, he worked as a schoolteacher in Knoxville. He enlisted in the army on January 29, 1911, but was dishonorably discharged on June 15, 1912. In WWI, he served in England as a mechanic in Company B, 117th U.S. Infantry. He died of gunshot wounds received in action followed by influenza and pneumonia at the U.S. Hospital at Dartford in Kent, England on November 8, 1918. He is buried in Knoxville National Cemetery.
- Rank: Mechanic
- Date of birth: 16 June 1889
- Date of death: 3 November 1918
- County: Blount
- Hometown: Greenbock
- Service Branch: Army
- Division/Assignment: Company B, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War I
- Battles: Somme, Ypres-Lys
- Burial/Memorial Location: Knoxville National Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar II, Top Panel
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