3rd Platoon, Company D, 511th PIR

Oct 22, 1922 - Oct 10, 2001 (Age 78) - gravesite

Citations: Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge, Philippine Liberation Medal with service star, the American Defense Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Battle Stars and one Arrowhead

Unit Nickname: "Little Bobby"

Robert A. Burnside was born October 22, 1922 in Los Angeles, California. He passed away at University Place Care Center on October 10, 2001.

Bob graduated from George Washington High School in Los Angeles, California in 1941, and soon afterwards, joined the United States Army. He served his country valiantly during World War II with the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the South Pacific. He received many awards during his services in the military, among them the Purple Heart and the Bronze Medal.

Corporal William Walter of Company D relates:

“Little Bobby Burnside in 3rd Platoon had a size 5 ½ EEEE shoe. He was the only trooper I knew who had extra custom-made boots. The Army always made a couple of extra pair for him, and required him to carry them along, himself.”

Bob developed lifelong friendships with his Army companions, which were enthusiastically maintained at annual Company Reunions. Bob was a staunchly patriotic American and an avid sports fan.

Following his military service, Bob attended and graduated from the University of California/Davis. He spent most of his business career in sales. At the time of his retirement, he was selling real estate for Windemere Realty. He was a long time member of the University Place Presbyterian Church, the Tacoma Elks Club and the YMCA.

Bob is survived by his wife, Lois Burnside, two sons, Mark Burnside, Cody, Wyoming; Steve Burnside, Puyallup, Washington, stepson Chris Gliddon, Hoquiam, Washington, stepdaughter Kim Gliddon, Tacoma, Washington, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Larry Allan Burnside, his mother and stepfather, Emma Gladys and Ada Raymond Doll, and his father, William Burnside.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 pm on October 15, 2001 in the Evergreen Chapel at New Tacoma Cemetery.

SOURCE: Obituary

Pfc. "Bobby" Burnside vs. Pfc. Joe Juarez sparring on New Guinea, 1944	Pfc. "Bobby" Burnside and Pfc. John F. Lackenbauer boxing on New Guinea, 1944

If you would  like to learn more about Robert's exploits within and the history of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II, please consider purchasing a copy of the book WHEN ANGEL'S FALL: FROM TOCCOA TO TOKYO, THE 511TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT IN WORLD WAR II, available in the regimental online store, on Amazon or wherever military history books are sold.