Staff Sergeant
United States Marine Corps
William Bordelon
Citation
For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as a member of an Assualt Engineer Platoon of the First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines, tactically attached to the Second Marines, Second Marine Division, against the Japanese-held Atoll of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands on November 20, 1943. Landing in the assault waves under withering enemy fire which killed all but four of the men in his tractor, Staff Sergeant Bordelon hurriedly made demolition charges and personally put two pill boxes out of action. Hit by enemy machine-gun fire just as a charge exploded in his hand while assaulting a third position, he courageously remained in action and, although out of demolition, provided himself with a rifle and furnished fire coverage for a group of men scaling the seawall. Disregarding his own serious condition, he unhesitatingly went to the aid of one of his demolition men, wounded and calling for help in the water, rescueing this man and another who had been hit by enemy fire while attempting to make the rescue. Still refusing first aid for himself, he again made up demolition charges and single-handedly assaulted a fourth Japanese machine-gun position but was instantly killed when caught in a final burst of fire from the enemy. Staff Sergeant Bordelon's great personal valor during a critical phase of securing the limited beachhead was a contributing factor in the ultimate occupation of the island and his heroic determination reflects the highest credit upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Franklin
D. Roosevelt
President of the United States
Footnote: Staff Sergeant William James Bordelon was born on Christmas Day, 1920, in San Antonio, TX, son of William Jennings Bordelon and Carmen Josephine Bordelon. He attended local schools and graduated from Central Catholic High School where he was a cadet officer in the ROTC. He was 5' 8 1/4 " and weighed 152 lbs. when he entered the Marine Corps on December 10, 1941. In "boot camp" he fired a score of 214 with the service rifle (Springfield) to become a "marksman". He was promoted rapidly in 1942, appointed Sergeant on July 10, 1942. Promoted to Staff Sergeant after fighting on Gualalcanal. First of four Marines to receive the Medal for action on Tarawa and the only enlisted man to do so. He was originally buried in Lone Palm Cemetery on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, and then moved to the U.S. Army Mausoleum at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. On November 20, 1995, 50 years after his gallantry and death on Tarawa, his body was re-interred in the National Cemetery, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio. Bill Bordelon came home. On November 19, 1995 he lay in state at the Alamo, one of only 5 Texans so honored. Other Medals awarded were the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
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