Ronald A. Burdo’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to

Ronald A. Burdo

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the FIRST Parachute Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese forces at Gavutu, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. When the progress of a company was retarded by heavy sniper opposition, Private First Class Burdo and others courageously attacked a heavily barricaded three-inch gun emplacement from which the deadly fire was emanating. Utterly disregarding his extreme danger, he charged forward and, without waiting for his comrades, unhesitatingly plunged through the entrance and in spite of great odds engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat until reinforcement by other Marines insured elimination of the hostile position. Private First Class Burdo’s daring, aggressive, and gallant conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. In a subsequent operation against the enemy on the same day he gallantly gave his life for his country.