William J. Bordelon

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William J. Bordelon
December 25, 1920(1920-12-25) – November 20, 1943 (aged 22)
Image:Bordelon WJ USMC.jpg  
William J. Bordelon, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth San Antonio, Texas
Place of death KIA at Tarawa
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1941-1943
Rank Staff Sergeant
Unit 1st Battalion, 18th Marines
Battles/wars Battle of Tarawa
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

William James Bordelon (December 25, 1920 – 20 November 1943) was a United States Marine who served in combat during World War II. During the Battle of Tarawa, he was killed in action during while he lead the assault on the enemy and rescued fellow Marines. For his acts of gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the United States' highest military honor — the Medal of Honor.

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[edit] Biography

He was killed in action while serving as a member of an assault engineer platoon of the First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines, tactically attached to the 2nd Marine Division against the Japanese in the Battle of Tarawa, in the Gilbert Islands on 20 November 1943.[1]

The destroyer USS Bordelon (DD-881) was named in his honor.

The body of Staff Sergeant Bordelon was moved from Hawaii in 1995. After lying in state at the Alamo, Bordelon's body was re-interred in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.[2]

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAM J. BORDELON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as a member of an Assault Engineer Platoon of the First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines, tactically attached to the Second Marines, Second Marine Division, in action 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, rescuing 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.[1]

/S/FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

[edit] See also

United States Marine Corps Portal

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b "SSgt William J. Bordelon", Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor.
  2. ^ SSgt William J. Bordelon, Who's Who in Marine Corps History.

[edit] References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
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