From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Born in Cheboygan, Mich., 24 July 1920, Ronald Allen Burdo enlisted in the Marine Corps 20 September 1940. He was killed in action 7 August 1942 at Gavutu, Solomon Islands.

(APD-133: dp. 1450: l. 306'; b. 37'; dr. 12'7"; s. 23.6 k.; cpl. 204; a. 1 5": cl. Crosley)

Burdo (APD-133), ex-DE-717, was launched 25 November 1944 by Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, Mich.; sponsored by Mrs. Ida J. Botts, mother of Private Burdo; and commissioned 2 June 1945, Lieutenant Commander H. A. Hull, USNR, in command.

Burdo joined the Pacific Fleet in August 1945 and was assigned to serve with the Pacific Underwater Demolition Flotilla. With Underwater Demolition Team 13 embarked she sailed for Pearl Harbor 16 August, where she was assigned to an amphibious group. On 1 September she departed for Sasebo, Japan. At Sasebo UDT-13 assisted in clearing channels prior to landing the occupation forces 21 September 1945. Shortly afterwards Burdo departed for San Diego via Okinawa, Guam, and Pearl Harbor. At San Diego UDT-13 was disembarked and after one shuttle trip to Pearl Harbor Burdo sailed to Norfolk, transiting the Panama Canal on Thanksgiving Day 1945.

Burdo operated along the Atlantic coast carrying out training exercises and mock landings during December 1945-October 1948, with the exception of three trips to the Caribbean. On 1 November 1948, in company with other units of the Atlantic Fleet, Burdo departed Norfolk enroute Argentia, Newfoundland, for cold weather operations. On 20 November she returned to Norfolk and continued with her Atlantic and Caribbean operations until May 1951.

In May she became a unit of the Midshipmen Practice Squadron and participated in the midshipmen summer cruise to northern Europe and the Caribbean, returning to Norfolk at the end of July. After overhaul she resumed training exercises in cooperation with the Marine Corps. Early in January 1953 Burdo was assigned to the 6th Fleet and operated as a unit of the Amphibious Group until May 1953. During this assignment she participated in one of the first NATO exercises.

Since that time Burdo has engaged in amphibious operational training along the eastern seaboard, conducted six Caribbean training cruises, and another tour with the 6th Fleet.