William James Bordelon (1920 - 1943)

Born 25 Dec 1920 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA

Ancestors

Died 20 Nov 1943 at age 22 in Tarawa

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Biography

William Bordelon was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Staff Sgt William Bordelon was Killed In Action during World War II.

Staff Sergeant William James Bordelon, KIA in the Battle of Tarawa.

Semper Fi

He was the first U.S. Marine from Texas to be awarded the Medal of Honor for action in World War II . Two of Bordelon's High School classmates, Gene Seng, Jr and Charles Montague and were also killed in action on Tarawa.

According to Wikipedia, Staff Sergeant Bordelon was originally buried in the Lone Palm Cemetery on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll,^[1] then later interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.^[2] At the request of his brother, Bordelon's body was moved from Hawaii to Texas 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, on the 52nd anniversary of his death.

Medal of Honor citation

For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as a member of an assault engineer platoon of the 1st Battalion, 18th Marines, tactically attached to the 2d Marine Division, in action against the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands on 20 November 1943. Landing in the assault waves under withering enemy fire which killed all but 4 of the men in his tractor, S/Sgt. Bordelon hurriedly made demolition charges and personally put 2 pillboxes out of action. Hit by enemy machinegun 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 machinegun position but was instantly killed when caught in a final burst of fire from the enemy. S/Sgt. 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 throughout 3 days of violent battle reflects the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Family

Parents: William Jennings Bordelon (1896 - 1959) and Carmen Josephine Pereira Bordelon (1899 - 1964)

Sibling:

Carmen Josephine Bordelon Imhoff (1922 - 2013)

Burial: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA

Plot: Section AI Site 558; GPS (lat/lon): 29.4763, -98.4329

Censuses

1930 US CENSUS, San Antonio, Justice Precinct 6, Bexar County, Texas

April 28, 1930, 101 East Clutter Avenue, San Antonio, Texas

Dwelling 709/Family 725

Bordelon, William J., head, m, w, 33, first married at age 22, Louisiana, Louisiana, Louisiana, cashier, life insurance

Bordelon, Carmen [Pereira], wife, f, w, 29, first married at age 19, Texas, Texas, Texas, none

Bordelon, Wm. J., Jr., son, m, w, 9, single, Texas, Louisiana, Texas, none

Bordelon, Carmen, daughter, f, w, 7, single, Texas, Louisiana, Texas, none

Bordelon, C. D., son, m, w, 4, single, Texas, Louisiana, Texas, none

Bordelon, R. F., son, m, w, 2, single, Texas, Louisiana, Texas, none

Sources

1. ↑ Parker, J. Michael (November 21, 2008). "Central Catholic trio who died on Tarawa remembered". Today's Catholic.
2. ↑ "Medal of Honor recipients buried in Hawaii". HomeofHeroes.com

• Staff Sergeant William James Bordelon on Wikipedia
• Find A Grave