Burleigh served as an attack transport of the Bayfield class, APA-95. Ingalls launched her at Pascagoula on 3 December 1943. She entered the late-war amphibious force as flagship of a transport squadron.
On 3 January 1945, in San Francisco, she joined Transport Squadron 18 and wore the flag of that squadron. The appointment put her at the head of the formation that would carry Marines to Okinawa.
She was off Okinawa on 1 April 1945 with the squadron and remained through 10 April. Across those days she sent Marines and supplies ashore. The stay covered the opening of the assault and the days of unloading that followed.
Bound for Pearl Harbor afterward, she called at Guam and took casualties aboard. One battle star was awarded. She was decommissioned on 11 June 1946.