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The three round burst M16 came around the A2 version.
The ones in Vietnam (A1s) for instance, had full automatic and semi-automatic modes.
As we found out, however, it was realy spray and pray. I don't remember the statistics but it was rare for a person to hit anything unloading a 20 round magazine into the jungle.
After that, when they came out with the A2, they removed full auto and put in the three-round burst to give a good spray that is manageable (3 rounds is pretty effective). They also increased the magazine to 30 rounds.
Believe me, war has changed a lot.
WW1 and even the American Civil War showed huge casualties for at that era, technological achievements had outpaced thinking in war. WW2 changed all that with the Blitzkrieg and other methods of fighting. Fire and manuever became the doctrine.
To an extent it is true to this day too. A machine gun can be a fearsome weapon if used right and positioned right, but as one is taught, there is always a flank and always a way to knock it out.
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