William F. Burns | |
|---|---|
 Burns in the 1980s | |
| Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency | |
| In office 1988–1989 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Kenneth Adelman |
| Succeeded by | Ronald F. Lehman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Francis Burns June 23, 1932 Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | June 5, 2021 (aged 88) Carlisle, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Peggy Cassady (m. 1955) |
| Children | 4, including William J. Burns |
| Alma mater | La Salle University, Princeton University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1954–1988 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
William Francis Burns (June 23, 1932 – June 5, 2021) was an American Army major general who later served as the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency from 1988 to 1989 under President Ronald Reagan.[2][3]
He graduated from La Salle University in 1954 and joined the Army from ROTC in that same year.[4] Reaching the rank of major general, Burns' commands included Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, Joint Chiefs of Staff Representative to the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces negotiations from 1981 to 1984 and 1985 to 1986 as well as deputy commandant of the United States Army War College.[5][6] He retired in 1988,[7] and died on June 5, 2021, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.[8]
His son, William J. Burns, was a career Foreign Service Officer who served as US Deputy Secretary of State and is currently serving as Director of the CIA in the Administration of President Joe Biden.
- ^ "Army Executive Biographies". Headquarters, Department of the Army. March 22, 1985 – via Google Books.
- ^ "President-elect Biden's pick for CIA director has Carlisle roots". pennlive. January 12, 2021.
- ^ "Major General William F. Burns (Ret.) | Arms Control Association". www.armscontrol.org.
- ^ Burns, William; Delcollo, Anthony (March 14, 2008). "Interview of William F. Burns, Major General USA (retired)". All Oral Histories.
- ^ "Nomination of William F. Burns To Be Director of the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency | The American Presidency Project". www.presidency.ucsb.edu.
- ^ Smith, R. Jeffrey (December 14, 1987). "GENERAL IN LINE FOR ARMS CONTROL POST" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
- ^ Smith, R. Jeffrey (January 8, 1988). "PRESIDENT NOMINATES BURNS TO ARMS AGENCY" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
- ^ "William Francis Burns Obituary (1932 - 2021) Carlisle Sentinel".