Specialist Four Marvin Burney's home of record was Baltimore, Maryland. Once in the Army, he became an airborne infantryman. When he arrived in Vietnam, he was a member of Company B 1st Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. He died on November 11, 1966 of non-hostile cause. On the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D. C., his name can be located on panel 12E, line 53.

His awards include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal.