This collection primarily chronicles the papers, records, speeches, and letters of John J. Burney, Jr. from his
enlistment into the Army in 1943, directly from high school graduation, through 1999, and the end of the 20th century. His
reputation on the football field at New Hanover High, at the front in France and Germany, in the State House in Raleigh,
and most apparent to those who faced him in the courtroom, was as a fearless, aggressive, highly focused opponent with a
flair for the dramatic. He was also a Army veteran, 8th
District Solicitor, and a State Senator from 10th District NC General Assemblies.
John J. Burney, Jr. was attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment,
63rd Infantry Division, and after intensive training was sent to the European Theater of Operations in 1944. He was
awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in action, and also received the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. He
has maintained close ties with the men he served with, and many of the residents of the towns of Colmar and Jebsheim,
and was successful in his effort to erect a Jebsheim Memorial in tribute to all who fought and lost their lives there. Judge
Burney and wife Betty visited Colmar and Jebsheim on the 50th anniversary of the battle, and he has returned frequently to
this area in remembrance of a most important part of his life. This collection contains, papers, Journals, newsletters,
personal letters, and Regimental rosters referencing continued involvement.
John Burney, Jr. returned to North Carolina, and Wilmington after WWII. His family roots are thought to originate with William Burney, Sr. 1710, in Bladen County, known as Horseshoe Swamp and Middle Swamp. Actual documentation of the family line begins with James Burney known as Jas, b. circa 1773. He, his father and brother Louis, attended Wake Forest College obtaining both B.S. and LLB degrees. Both father and son served as Solicitor 8th Judicial District, and both have served as Deacon Trustee's at St. Andrews - Covenant Presbyterian Church. John Jr., was elected State Senator representing 10th District in North Carolina General Assemblies, his father became a Superior Court Judge. It was during this period as member of the State Board of Higher Education, he proposed a bill that Wilmington College be incorporated into the University of North Carolina system. He served as a Trustee at UNCW from 1981-1989, Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1982 through 1984, and Chancellor of the Search Committee in 1990. He was rewarded with a building on Campus bearing his name.
BOX # 1
Burney family letters, June
1918 - June 1919
file # 1
Letters from Frank Burney to parents, Jan. 13, 1919
Letters from "Jay" to Mother,
no dates
file # 2
Postcards, birth
announcements, wedding
announcements, High School
graduation announcements,
multi dates
file # 3
High School graduation
announcements
file # 4
Letters from John J. Burney,
Sr. to mother, May 1918
file # 5
Letters to Mother June, July,
August, 1918
file # 6
Letters home, September,
1918
file # 7
" " October, 1918
file # 8
" " November,
1918
file # 9
" " December,
1918
file # 10
Miscellaneous
Letters home, January, 1919
file # 11
" " February,
March, 1919
file # 12
" " April, 1919
file # 13
" " May, June, 1919
BOX # 2
John J. Burney, Jr.,
attorney. The early years.
Letter from Army buddy, 1952
Dept. of Army Award of Bronze Star Medal, June, 1952
Indenture for Topsail Island property, April, 1952
file # 2
Letter to Gov. Umstead refer. position as Solicitor, 8th District, 1953
file # 2
contd.
Congratulations letter on appt. as Solicitor 8th District, 1954
file # 3
Letters of congratulations on Solicitor appointment, 1954
file # 4
Business letters and transactions
Insurance matters, 1955
Warranty Deed 1956 to John J. & Louis A. Burney
file # 5
Adoption papers for Burney daughter, 1956
Warranty Deed to John J. & Louis A. Burney, 1957
Veterans Administration information on Govt. Life Insurance, 1957
Assorted business letters, 1957
file # 6
Indentures between Burney & Walter E. Blue, Jan. 1958
Personal business papers, life insurance, motor sales, medical evaluation, property owner request, 1959
file # 7
Personal business papers, 1960
Real Estate notes
file # 8
Personal business, 1961
file # 9
Papers referencing re-election, and resignation as Solicitor, 1962
file # 10
Personal business papers, 1963
file # 11
" " " , 1964 - 1965
file # 12
Undated papers refer. appt. as Solicitor 8th District
file # 13
Political Correspondence, 1964
file # 14
Correspondence refer. appts. to Navigation & Pilatag for the Cape
Fear River, 1965
file # 15
Letters refer. various political appts., "Thanks", 1965
file # 16
Political correspondence refer. appts. to State Commissions, 1965
file # 17
Political correspondence, 1965
file # 18
" " "
file # 19
Newspaper political advertising, 1965
file # 20
Political correspondence list, 1965
BOX # 3
file # 1
1966 area precinct maps. Program of Progress: NC State AFL-CIO
file # 2
Material refer. candidacy for State Senator 10th District, April, 1966
file # 3
Bill for Senate Campaign, 1966
file # 4
Media bills for 1966 Senate Campaign
file # 5
Disbursement record, 1966
Various candidate letters
file # 6
Senate correspondence, 1966
file # 7
Congratulatory letters Senate win, 1966
file # 8
" " " " "
file # 9
" " " " "
file # 10
Business papers, 1966
Senate letters, 1977
file # 11
Senate correspondence, 1967
file # 12
" " "
file # 13
" " "
file # 14
Bank statement/canceled checks political account, 1966
BOX # 4
file # 1
Senate correspondence, 1967
Candidate lists for State Senate & House, 1967
file # 2
Senate correspondence, 1967
file # 3
" " "
file # 4
" " "
Contd.
file # 5
Senate Correspondence, 1967
file # 6
Burney assorted political mementos, 1965 & 1966
file # 7
" " " Correspondence, 1965, 1966, 1967
file # 8
News clippings, 1967
file # 9
" " "
file # 10
" " 1967 - 69
file # 11
Senate papers/business, 1967
file # 12
" " " "
file # 13
" " " "
file # 14
" " " "
file # 15
" " " "
file # 16
" " " "
BOX # 5
file # 1
Warranty Deed between Wm. M. Bellamy and Burney & Burney.
Deed of easement for Burney Bldg. 1970
Design, roofing, insurance permits for Burney Bldg., 1970 - 1971
file # 2
Various letters, papers, 1960's, early 1970's
file # 3
Personal & business correspondence, 1971
file # 4
" " " " "
file # 5
Business correspondence, 1972
file # 6
Business & personal correspondence, 1972
file # 7
" " " " "
file # 8
" " " " "
file # 9
" " " " "
Box # 5
file # 10
Business & personal correspondence, 1972
BOX # 6
file # 1
Business & personal correspondence, 1972
file # 2
" " " " "
file # 3
" " " " "
file # 4
A Bill: An Act To Establish The No. Carolina Committee On Higher
Education In Place Of State Bard......
file # 5
1972, various correspondence
file # 6
" " "
file # 7
" " "
file # 8
" " "
file # 9
" " "
file # 10
" " "
file # 11
" " "
file # 12
" " "
BOX # 7
file # 1
1971, various
file # 2
1972 Business
file # 3
News clippings, multi years, undated papers
file # 4
Business 1973
file # 5
1973. Various business and personal papers
file # 6
Assorted correspondence, 1973
file # 7
1973. Business letters. Bills for farm in Pender County.
Contd.
file # 8
Farm related business, 1973
file # 9
" " " "
file # 10
Relating to farm, Pender county, 1973
Personal activities, 1973
file # 11
State, and political, 1973
file # 12
1973, personal correspondence
file # 13
Inaugural Ceremonies Program, 1973
State political correspondence
file # 14
" " " , 1973
BOX # 8
file # 1
Personal business, 1974
file # 2
Business, 1974
file # 3
Business correspondence, 1974
file # 4
" " "
file # 5
Political business, 1974
file # 6
Political business, 1974
file # 7
" " "
file # 8
Personal business, 1974
file # 9
" " "
file # 10
" " "
file # 11
Business and political, 1974
file # 12
" " " "
BOX # 9
file # 1
Court documents, 1974
contd.
file # 2
Draft report on Private Higher Education, N.C. 1975
file # 3
Business, 1975
file # 4
Various correspondence, 1975
file # 5
" " "
file # 6
" " "
file # 7
Personal and family papers, 1975
BOX # 10
file # 1
Letters and news clippings from Benjamin Seymour while in New
Hanover County Jail, 1975
file # 2
Business related, 1975
file # 3
" " "
file # 4
Personal papers, 1975
file # 5
" " "
file # 6
Law office business, 1975
file # 7
Political: candidates correspondence, 1975
file # 8
Personal, farm expenses
file # 9
Financial
file # 10
Personal: Family, friends
file # 11
Personal: various
file # 12
" "
BOX # 11
file # 1
Personal financial & farm business, 1976
file # 2
Law Practice, 1976
contd.
file # 3
Law Practice, 1976
file # 4
" " "
file # 5
Personal correspondence, 1976
file # 6
" " "
file # 7
" " "
file # 8
Political, 1976
file # 9
" "
file # 10
" "
file # 11
Political: Candidate fliers, 1976
file # 12
Political: Sen. Robert Morgan newsletters, 1976
BOX # 12
file # 1
Additional, 1976
file # 2
Personal papers, 1976
file # 3
Law practice, 1976
file # 4
Law practice, 1977
file # 5
" " "
file # 6
" " "
file # 7
" " "
file # 8
" " "
file # 9
Political correspondence
file # 10
" "
file # 11
Sen. Robert Morgan, newsletters, 1977
" " " , correspondence
BOX # 13
file # 1
Jimmy Carter Inaugural invitation & programs, 1977
file # 2
Personal papers/correspondence, 1977
file # 3
" " " "
file # 4
" " " "
file # 5
Law practice, 1978
file # 6
" " "
file # 7
Political papers, correspondence, 1978
file # 8
UNC 1st annual report to office of Civil Rights to Gov. James B.
Hunt, & William Friday, Chancellor, 1978
file # 9
Sen. Robert Morgan newsletters, 1978
file # 10
Personal matters, papers, 1978
file # 11
" " " "
BOX # 14
file # 1
Personal papers, 1978. Family, friends.
file # 2
" " " " "
file # 3
Law practice, 1978
file # 4
" " "
file # 5
Political Association, 1978
file # 6
Sen. Robert Morgan correspondence/newsletters, 1978
file # 7
Personal papers, 1979
file # 8
" " "
file # 9
William Shaw Burney, 1979. Campbell College
contd.
file # 10
Law practice, 1979
file # 11
" " "
file # 12
" " "
BOX # 15
file # 1
Law practice, 1979
file # 2
" " "
file # 3
" " "
file # 4
Sen. Robert Morgan newsletters/correspondence, 1979
file # 5
Political, 1979
file # 6
SALT ,materials distributed at briefing 1979 & sent to John Burney
from White House
file # 7
Personal papers/correspondence, 1980
file # 8
" " " "
file # 9
Law office, 1980
file # 10
" " "
file # 11
" " "
BOX # 16
file # 1
Political: Candidates, fundraisers, fliers, etc. 1980
file # 2
" " " " " "
file # 3
" " " " " "
file # 4
Political, 1982
file # 5
" "
file # 6
" "
contd.
file # 7
Law Practice, 1982
file # 8
" " "
file # 9
" " "
file # 10
" " "
BOX # 17
file # 1
Law practice , 1982
file # 2
Law practice, financial statements, 1982
file # 3
Personal papers/correspondence, 1982
file # 4
" " " "
file # 5
" " " "
file # 6
Political, 1983
file # 7
Law practice, 1983
file # 8
Personal papers etc. 1983
file # 9
" " " "
file # 10
" " " "
file # 11
Law practice, 1984
file # 12
Political, 1984
Box # 18
file # 1
Political, 1987
file # 2
Law practice, 1987
file # 3
" " "
file # 4
Personal, 1987
file # 5
" "
contd.
file # 6
Personal, 1987 - 88
file # 7
" 1989
file # 8
Personal, 1989
file # 9
Law Practice, 1989
file # 10
Political, 1989
file # 11
" 1990
file # 12
Law Practice, 1990
file # 13
Personal papers, 1990
file # 14
" " "
BOX # 19
file # 1
Personal papers, 1991
file # 2
Law Practice, 1991
file # 3
Political, 1991
file # 4
Law Practice, 1992
file # 5
Personal papers, 1992
file # 6
" " "
file # 7
" " 1993
file # 8
" " "
file # 9
Law Practice, 1993
file # 10
Political, 1993
file # 11
" 1994
file # 12
Law Practice, 1994
file # 13
Personal papers, 1994
BOX # 20
file # 1
Political, 1995 - 1996
file # 2
Law Practice, 1995 - 96
file # 3
Personal papers, 1995 - 96
file # 4
" " " "
file # 5
Greeting cards from WWII friends
file # 6
Burney Family: Mrs. Burney, Sr. 90th party list
Mrs. Burney, Sr. sale of estate
List of personal items for estate of Mrs. Burney, Sr.
file # 7
Family: Sale of art. Tractor purchase
Repairs to Pond. IRA statement
Insurance payment Chevrolet truck, 1996 - 98
file # 8
New Hanover County taxes 1998, 1999
file # 9
Trip to France, 1994
file # 10
Trip to Europe, 1997. Receipts, cards
file # 11
" " " 1998
file # 12
Bankcard bills, 1983 - 1990
file # 13
" " 1991 - 1994
file # 14
" " 1995 - 97
BOX # 21
file # 1
Insurance policies, no dates
file # 2
" " 1970's
file # 3
" " 1985 - 88
file # 4
" " 1986 - 1989
file # 5
" " home and auto 1982 - 87
contd.
file # 6
Insurance policies for home and auto, 1988 - 92
file # 7
Chubb Group Insurance, 1984 - 1990
Invoices, 1985 - 93
file # 8
Insurance papers early 1990's
file # 9
" " 1990's
file # 10
Insurance, auto, 1977, 1998
file # 11
" 1999
BOX # 22
file # 1
Sprint Cellular, 1993 - 94
file # 2
" " Bills, 1993 - 96
file # 3
WRAL - TV VIEWPOINT, editorials, 1961
file # 4
" " " " "
file # 5
" " " " "
file # 6
TV teleprompter roll for John Burney speech c. 1965
file # 7
" " " " " " " " 1966
file # 8
" " " " " " " " "
file # 9
John J. Burney speeches, 1966
file # 10
Burney TV spots
Speech by John Burney, Jr., 1966
file # 11
Assorted notes, speeches.
file # 12
John J. Burney, Jr. political speeches, 1960's
Assorted material, Gov. Moore speech
BOX # 23
file # 1
John J. Burney, Jr. political speeches, 1960's
contd.
file # 2
John J. Burney, Jr. political speeches, 1960's
file # 3
Material applicable to speeches
State Facts, etc. 1967
file # 4
Handwritten speech by J. Burney, Jr. - no date
Speech on violence, author unknown
file # 5
Editorials, notes, bulletins for speeches, 1960's
file # 6
Speech material, assorted notes, jokes. No dates
file # 7
Speeches, notes, parodies, sermons
file # 8
Speeches
Letters referencing speech at Wilmington College, 1969
file # 9
Speech on Political Principles of State Government, 1969
Address to North Carolina State Bar, Inc...
Copy of Wilmington Journal article on segregation
file # 10
Deeds
Moore - Fonveille Realty commission receipts, 1950's
file # 11
H.G. Latimer & Son insurance receipts
Hand entered property expenses. Tax office
Lease of land space to outdoor sign company, 1950's
file # 12
Moore - Fonveille Realty commission receipts
Property Management bills for upkeep/repairs, 1950's
Tax receipts
BOX # 24
file # 1
Assorted letters, documents refer. to land, drug control, Lower Cape
Fear Arts Council. 1970's
file # 2
Assorted receipts, papers. 1980's
file # 3
Assorted unrelated papers & subjects, 1980's
file # 4
Various unrelated letters, Board Minutes, "Thank You's", 1980's
file # 5
Personal unrelated correspondence, 1980's
contd.
file # 6
Tax Table Books & Guides, N.C. 1990's
file # 7
Miscellaneous
file # 8
Various papers relating to WWII reunion, 1991
file # 9
" " " " " " 1992
file # 10
" " " " " " 1993
file # 11
" " " " " " 1994
BOX # 25
Documents, letters, Journals, Association bulletins, relating to
WWII years Company A, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division, 7th Army. 1944 - 1945
file # 1
7th Army 100th Division Assoc. Newsletters. Copies of articles.
Copy of letter from Warren Pennington (Wilmington) to family
file # 2
Unit Journal. 254th Infantry 001/31 Jan/1945 to 2400/31 Jan/1945
file # 3
3rd Battalion Journal, March 1945
file # 4
Copies of scrapbook pages from Ed Wyatt, 63rd Infantry
file # 5
U.S, Army WWII: Riviera To The Rhine
Map and list of towns captured or passed through by 63rd Div., 1945
file # 6
War Dept. Washington, 6 June, '45, Battle Honors
"The Danube Bridgehead". Hill 216..."Bloody Mountain" Unit
Citation, 21 June, 1945
file # 7
Unit Citation, 21 June, 1945
Map featuring Colmar. Specifics & copy of photo of S.S. Saturnia
The Echelon, 52nd Ordinance Group paper
file # 8
Association "Rhin & Danube", U.S. Section
Vol.1, #1, Fall 1991. Vol. 2, #4, Winter 1992
file # 9
Association "Rhin & Danube", U.S. Section
Vol. 3, #1, Spring 1993. Vol. 4, #1, Spring, 1994
file # 10
Association "Rhin & Danube" U.S. Section
Vol. 4 #2, and Vol. 4 #3.
Contd.
file # 11
Assorted papers, bulletins
file # 12
Various pamphlets referencing Government, WWII
BOX # 26
file # 1
Association "Rhin & Danube" fliers/notices. 1988 - 1992
file # 2
" " " " " " 1980's - 1992
file # 3
American Order of the French Croix De Guerre, Inc.
Newsletters, commemorative medals.
file # 4
Same as file # 3
BOX # 27
file # 1
Correspondence w/fellow 254th Infantry veterans.
Dedication La Croix du CorrespondenceMoulin de Jebsheim, 1988
file # 2
Correspondence reference dedication at Jebsheim, 1988
file # 3
" " " " " "
file # 4
Copies of rosters of officers & enlisted, 1945
file # 5
Correspondence w/WWII 63rd Blood & Fire vets, 1988 - 89
file # 6
Correspondence with men of 63rd Infantry Division, 1989 - 90
file # 7
Correspondence from JJB, Jr. refer. WWII Vets and battles, 1985 - 86
file # 8
" " " " " " " " activities, 1987
file # 9
J.J.B, Jr. correspondence w/men of Co. A, 254th Inf. Regiment 1988
Request for letters from elected VIP's refer. Jebsheim Memorial
file # 10
Letters from JJB, Jr. referencing Jebsheim, 1988 - 89
file # 11
" " " " " " 1989 - 91
file # 12
" " " " " " 1991 - 93
file # 13
" " " " " " Reunions 1994
contd.
file # 14
Letters from John Burney, Jr. refer. Jebsheim reunions, 1994 - 95
Box # 28
file # 1
Issue of Blood & Fire, Sept... 2, 1944
63rd Infantry Division, Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi
file # 2
4 issues Blood & Fire, 1952 - 1990
file # 3
Assorted papers refer. 63rd Infantry, various dates
file # 4
Letters, Fax transmissions refer. trip to Colmar, 1994 - 95.
file # 5
Correspondence w/63rd Infantry Division Vets, 1995
Visit to Colmar
file # 6
Members Co. A, 254th Infantry correspondence, 1995
file # 7
Burney correspondence w/members 63rd Inf. And 254th Reg., 1995
file # 8
JJB, Jr. travel plans to Colmar, France, 1995
file # 9
Correspondence w/officials of Colmar, 1995
" With Valerie Wenger & Josie Ludwig, 1995
file # 10
Correspondence w/ French & German officials, Colmar, 1995
file # 11
Letter from Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Charles P.
Murray, of Wilmington, 1995
file # 12
Letters & Fax transmittals refer. Colmar, and Jebsheim, 1996
file # 13
Relating to activities & Vets of 254th Infantry Regiment
file # 14
Correspondence w/Werner te Heeson, Josie Ludwig, Valerie
Wenger, Monsieur Jean Suard, 1996
file # 15
Same as file # 14
file # 16
Correspondence with French and German friends, 1997
BOX # 29
file # 1
Jebsheim, 1997
contd.
file # 2
Correspondence with 63rd Infantry members
file # 3
Trip to Colmar, France w/ Jim Jackson, 1998
file # 4
Reference Colmar, and Jebsheim, 1998
file # 5
63rd Infantry Division business, 1998
file # 6
Letters from French & German friends, 1999
file # 7
1999 article Star - News: JJB, Jr. inducted NC Bar Hall of Fame
Unveiling of portraits of 3 Medal of Honor recipients at New Hanover
County Library, Dec. 16
Maps of France, Germany, WWII
file # 8
Col. Charles P. Murray letters 1999, Medal of Honor recipient.
file # 9
Jebsheim Memorial Plaque Committee, 1999
file # 10
" " " " "
file # 11
Copy of 63rd "Blood & Fire" scrapbook
file # 12
Trip to Jebsheim, 1996
file # 13
Veterans Administration: child dependency awards, 1977 - 79
file # 14
Taxes: Partnership Carolina Treet
file # 15
Son's returns, 1980
file # 16
Tax deduction, gifts
file # 17
Miscellaneous: letters to John Burney, Edinburgh, Scotland
Unidentified sepiatone photo of Ferry boat, no date.
Army years, 1943 - 1945
Box # 30
file # 1
2 letters to Mrs. Burney, Sr. 1934
From John Jay, Jr. 1934
file # 2 Letters to John Jay, Jr.
contd.
file # 3
From friends WWII years, undated
file # 4
From family, WWII years, undated
file # 5
WWII years, undated
file # 6
" " "
file # 7
Letters from Pauline, 1943
file # 8
Burney letters, from family, 1943
file # 9
Family letters © 1943 - 1944
file # 10
" " " " "
file # 11
Letters to John Jay, Jr., early 1943
file # 12
" " " " " August 1943
file # 13
" " " " " Sept. 1943
file # 14
" " " " " " "
file # 15
" " " " " Oct. 1943
file # 16
" " " " " " "
Box # 31
file # 1
Burney letters, November, 1943
file # 2
" " " "
file # 3
" " December, 1943
file # 4
" " " "
file # 5
" " January, 1944
file # 6
" " February, 1944
file # 7
" " March, 194
file # 8
" " April, 1944
contd.
file # 9
Burney letters June, 1944
file # 10
" " July, 1944
file # 11
" " September, 1944
BOX # 32
file # 1
Letters to Burney family
Wedding announcements, Miscellaneous items, undated cards.
file # 2
Burney letters October, 1944
file # 3
" " November, 1944
file # 4
" " January, 1945
file # 5
" " February, 1945
file # 6
" " March, 1945
file # 7
" " April, 1945
file # 8
" " May, 1945
file # 9
" " " "
file # 10
" " June, 1945
file # 11
" " August, 1945
file # 12
" " October - December, 1945
BOX # 33
file # 1
Letters from Mother, 1945
file # 2
Letters from Betty, January, 1946
file # 3
Miscellaneous letters, 1945 - 50
file # 4
" " 1947 - 50
file # 5
Photo negatives: John J. Burney, Jr. in Army in Europe
contd.
file # 5
John Jay Burney, Jr. with father, no date
file # 6
8 x 10 photo of JJB, Jr. overseas WWII
BOX # 34
Newspapers
Bumper stickers: Burney For State Senate
Judge Lambeth N.C. District Court
Jim Hunt Governor '80
New Hanover County Democrat
Newspapers:
The Pee Dee Advocate, JAPS FOLD ! Aug. 16, 1945
Charlotte Observer, Aug. 15, 1945
Wilmington Morning Star, May 20, 1953
Dec. 8, 1941 headline :Japanese Raid Manila and Menace Singapore
The Charlotte Observer, December 8, 1941, Wake Island Falls
The Charlotte Observer, August 15, 1945, PEACE!
Wilmington Morning Star, March 17, 1967 "Brownbagging Bill"
Gun Week, July 1968
The Sunday Star - News, March 9, 1969
The Daily Southerner, April 16, 1969