Corporal Burch was a member of Company B, 93rd Engineer Combat Battalion, U.S. Army. When he opened the lid of his tent stove, the burning oil ignited his clothing. He was evacuated to the hospital ship USS Consolation (AH-15) in Pusan Harbor where he died on 6 December 1951.

Burch was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.