Burnett was born in Norristown, Montgomery County, Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania, on April 21, 1858. Nothing has been located regarding his parentage or youth, but it can be assumed he remained in the East, and most likely Pennsylvania.
The Apache Wars episode was not the only meritorious deed of valor by Lieutenant Burnett. Another occurred on August 26 and 27, 1887, when upon learning of the attack of the Colorado militia and posse on the Ute Indians under Chief Colorow, Burnett hastened with his detachment of troops from Companies B and E, 9th U. S. Cavalry, to the scene of the action along the White River, near the Colorado boundary with the Uncompahgre Ute Reservation. By his cool judgment and superb discretion, Lt. Burnett was able to induce the heavily armed and excited Indians to return to their agency, thus preventing a serious outbreak and undoubtedly saving many lives. Although this action undoubtedly also entered into the Army’s decision to award Burnett the Medal of Honor, for this act of valor he was issued the Indian War Campaign Medal, No. 517.
Burnett served in the U. S. Army until his retirement in February, 1891. Due to illness, Burnett appeared before the Army Retiring Board in October 1889 and at that time was found to be incapacitated for active duty because of a direct inguinal hernia, contracted in the line of duty and caused by his horse falling on him while engaged against the Utes at Fort Duchesne, Utah, in 1887.
Upon leaving the active military, Burnett pursued a vocation that would allow him to continue in his role of teaching military tactics by becoming the Commandant and Principal at Fairfield, N. Y. Military Academy; N. Y. Military Academy, East Florida Military Institute and the Western Military Academy.
While serving as the U. S. Vice-Consul Kehl at Baden, Germany, Burnett married Marie Obert at Strassburg on September 26, 1895. The couple remained in Germany for the next two years, with Burnett advanced to “Acting Consul.”
Burnett distinguished himself in academia. From May, 1901, to September, 1905, he served as the Colonel of Cadets and Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the State University of Iowa, Iowa City. While at the University of Iowa, Burnett entered the College of Law, attaining his law degree. He also received a Masters Degree from the same institution in Political Science and History, and then sought a Ph. D. from the University of Chicago, which he apparently failed to complete.
Burnett died of diabetes at the Everett Sanitarium in Lincoln, Nebraska, on November 1, 1908. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
His wife, Marie, attempted to obtain a widow’s pension, but it was denied, citing the fact that his death was not due to military service.
Burnett willed his Medal of Honor to James Burnett Torbert, of Jersey Shore,
Pennsylvania.