Master Sergeant Burton was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the first sergeant of a company of the 160th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy at "Heartbreak Ridge", North Korea on 1 November 1952.

For his leadership and valor, Master Sergeant Burton was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, the Pacific Theater of Operations Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.