Private McBurney was a member of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. On 26 October 1952, he was fighting on the main line of resistance at I Corps right flank north of Chongjamal, North Korea, when he was killed by enemy fire.

McBurney was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, 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.