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]
William F. Burns
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|---|---|
Burns in the 1980s
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| 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 (1932-06-23)June 23, 1932 Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | June 5, 2021(2021-06-05) (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 |
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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.