William James Bordleon was born on 25 December 1920 in San Antonio, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from that state in December 1941. Bordleon completed Basic Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, then remained in the area serving in Company D, Second Engineer Division, Second Marine Division. In February 1942, he was promoted to Private First Class, followed by promotions to Corporal in March and to Sergeant in June. That October, after temporary duty with other companies, he departed with Company C, Eighteenth Marines for training at Wellington, New Zealand, and during late 1942 and early 1943 participated in the final months of the bitter fight for Guadalcanal.
In May 1943, while preparing for his next campaign, Bordelon was promoted to Staff Sergeant. On 20 November 1943, he landed with the Assault Engineer Platoon of the First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines, Second Marine Division on the fiercely-defended Japanese stronghold of Betio Island, part of Tarawa Atoll in Gilbert Islands. Despite several serious wounds received during the assault, Bordelon courageously refused medical aid and remained in action, destroying three enemy fortifications and assisting other wounded Marines. During a single-handed assault another enemy machine-gun position, he was mortally wounded. For "valourous and gallant conduct" on the fire-swept Betio beach, Staff Sergeant Bordelon was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
USS Bordelon (DD/DDR-881), 1945-1977, was named in honor of Staff Sergeant William J. Bordelon.
This page features the only image we have concerning William J. Bordelon.
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Medal of Honor citation of Staff Sergeant William James Bordelon, USMC (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 160): |
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Page made 15 April 2008