E. L. M. Burns
E. L. M. Burns | |
|---|---|
Burns in 1954 | |
| Nicknames | "Tommy" "Smiling Sunray" |
| Born | June 17, 1897 |
| Died | September 13, 1985 (aged 88) |
| Buried | Manotick, Ontario |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Army |
| Service years | 1914–1959 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars Royal Canadian Engineers |
| Commands | United Nations Emergency Force United Nations Truce Supervision Organization I Canadian Corps 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division 2nd Canadian Infantry Division 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade |
| Conflicts | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of Canada Distinguished Service Order Officer of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross Canadian Forces' Decoration Mentioned in Despatches |
Lieutenant General Eedson Louis Millard "Tommy" Burns, CC, DSO, OBE, MC, CD (June 17, 1897 – September 13, 1985) was a senior officer of the Canadian Army and a diplomat. He saw active service in both World War I and World War II. His World War II command during the Italian campaign, although successful, sparked a sharp divide in military academic circles post-war. In the early 1950s, he was the deputy minister for the Veterans Affairs Canada department. He served as the initial commander of the first United Nations peacekeeping force in 1956. In the late 1950s, he became one of Canada's nuclear disarmament negotiators. In the late 1960s and into the 1970s, he taught strategic studies at Carleton University. He wrote several books about his war and peacekeeping experiences. Burns was honoured with several awards including the Order of Canada in 1967 and the Pearson Medal of Peace in 1981.