Bart Burns was born George Joseph Burns in New York City. To avoid confusion with comic George Burns, he took the name Bart when he began his acting career in 1947. During World War II, Burns was a Marine captain in the Pacific, where he was wounded twice. He won a Silver Star for leading a tank through a minefield to destroy a Japanese pillbox on Iwo Jima.
Served in the Marines during World War II; as a Captain, he earned two Purple Hearts and won a Silver Star at Guadalcanal by steering a tank through a mine field in order to engage and destroy a Japanese pillbox.
Used Bart as first name to avoid being confused with comedian George Burns.