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James Curtis Burris was born in Tulsa, OK, and his
parents, Hazel Marriott Burris and John Cecil Burris, nurtured Jim and his older
brothers John and Bob through the hardships of the dust bowl and the Great
Depression. They instilled patriotism in their sons through service to America
and an abiding faith in God. Part Cherokee on his mother’s side, Jim had a
strong connection to the Native American culture, which was renewed during
repeated visits to the western states. Collecting western and Indian art was a
lifetime passion.
After graduating from Tulsa Central High School, Jim enlisted in
the Infantry and quickly was tapped to attend the Prep School and West Point.
“Artist, singer, athlete,” accompany his ’54 Howitzer photograph, portraying
well his four years as a cadet: two years of football and three of baseball
overlapped four years on the Pointer and Glee Club, and two years on the 1954
yearbook. Jim was what you might call an extracurricular cadet, giving time to
the academic side only in crisis and with a burst of energy aimed at salvation.
He was always successful.
As editor-in-chief of the Pointer, he was, in effect, the voice
of the Corps of Cadets. He could be found high up in the north area tower among
his staff, like crows in a tree clacking away on their mechanical typewriters,
learning from Jim the meaning of “galley slaves.” Jim was quick as a writer and
illustrator and could come up with a short story and a pen sketch to go with it,
or fix an article like a doctor and make the author happy with the results. Jim
was a hungry reader, a trait that stayed with him throughout his life. His
interests were broad and varied, and his recall amazing.
Following graduation, Jim headed to Ft. Benning for the Basic
Infantry Officer Course, jump school and Ranger school. From there he went to
the 65th Infantry Regiment, Puerto Rico. After a short period as a platoon
leader, Jim was selected for temporary duty at the newly forming
non-commissioned officer academy headed by CPT Ralph Puckett. Puckett had
commanded the Eighth Army Ranger Company in the Korean War and earned the
Distinguished Service Cross. Under Puckett, the young officers created a
ranger-type school out of practically nothing. From there, Jim went on to the
Panama Canal Zone, where he took over a platoon of the 3rd Battalion, 20th
Infantry, moved to battalion S-1, and then was selected to be aide to the deputy
commanding general of U.S. Army Caribbean.
During his time in the Canal Zone, Jim was sent to Melgar to
inspect training at the Lancero School (Colombian Rangers) that had been
established by the Colombian Army with advice from, once again, Ralph Puckett.
Jim wrote a glowing report of doings at the Melgar Training Area, punctuated by
pleas for more U.S. support. Jim’s writing abilities and his knowledge of the
Ranger ethos gave the school the boost that it needed. Fifty years later, the
Escuela de Lanceros has graduated 50,000 officers and NCOs, including candidates
from U.S. and other armies.
Jim joined the 101st “Screaming Eagles” Airborne Division in 1959
as a platoon leader in the 506th Airborne Battle Group. He subsequently moved to
battle group assistant S-2 and then commander of Company E. The division was
working on its changeover to the Pentomic Army, learning how to fight with
nuclear weapons. After graduating in 1962 from the Armor Officer Advanced
Course, it was off to the Korean Military Advisory Group, followed by the
Command & General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth. Jim earned a master’s degree
from Louisiana State in psychology in 1965 and returned to the Academy to serve
in the Department of Military Psychology and Leadership. In addition to his
teaching assignments, he was integral to creating West Point’s first cadet
counseling program.
Jim then went to Vietnam as senior advisor to the Vietnamese
Rangers and, later, commander of 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry, in the 4th
Infantry Division. It is not surprising to those who knew him that he was
awarded three Silver Stars, a Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star for Valor, and
three Air Medals.
Following Vietnam, he headed to Germany in 1970–71 and the
Dogface Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division, where Jim was division G-4 and
then division G-3. In 1972, Jim returned to Washington to the office of the
Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, working on the transition to the
all-volunteer Army.
In December 1973, he retired from the military as a lieutenant
colonel and joined BASF North America, ultimately becoming senior vice president
of Human Resources and Administration. During the next 13 years, he brought his
innovative ideas and leadership to the chemical industry. He later joined Boyden
International Consulting as executive vice president. His career was curtailed
in 1996, when he was diagnosed with Agent Orange-related lymphomas.
Over the next 12 years, Jim fought the good fight, supported by
his beloved wife Marge; four daughters, Beth, Chris, Cecilia and Sarah; and nine
grandchildren. His grace, dignity and courage were evident as he went through
the variety of torments that accompany cancer treatment. When asked how he
managed to face the treatments, he replied that he focused on them as “just
another parachute jump— hook up and go.”
Jim was a friend who could be counted on. When he gave you his
word, it was as good as gold. When you asked for his help, you got it. When you
asked for his counsel, he shared it. And when you needed a shoulder, his was
right there. These qualities were apparent in his early days at West Point, and
they remained hallmarks of Jim Burris throughout his life. He lived the motto
Duty, Honor, Country. Well done, good and faithful servant. You are missed.
—Jack Galvin ’54, Frank Hart ’54
& family members
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