Major General William Power Burnham (January 10, 1860 − September 27, 1930) was a United States Army officer.

[2][3] Burnham left West Point before graduating and enlisted in the United States Army's 14th Infantry Regiment.

[5] Initially assigned to the 6th Infantry Regiment, he served at Fort Douglas and other posts in the western United States until 1889.

[6] In 1889 Burnham attended the School of Application for Infantry and Cavalry (now the United States Army Command and General Staff College) at Fort Leavenworth.

The captain ignored the warning, and when he headed for the ocean, Burnham ordered the firing of a cannon across the ship's bow, which had the effect of forcing it to return to port.

[12] In July 1917, three months after the American entry into World War I, Burnham was assigned to command the 56th Regiment at Camp Oglethorpe.

[15] Beginning in December, Burnham simultaneously commanded the 82nd Division during the period of its initial organization and activation.

[18] In early October, he was suddenly relieved by American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) commander, General John J. Pershing, who wanted to create an opening for Major General George B. Duncan, a West Point classmate and friend.

His foreign decorations included the British Order of the Bath, the Greek Medal of Military Merit (First Class) and the French Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor (Officer).