Pacific Valor Series: William J. Bordelon
Each year at the Pacific Combat Zone, the National Museum of the Pacific War’s Living History Program holds two presentations of Pacific Valor—a battle re-enactment program that focuses on real life examples of heroism from the Pacific War. In 2025, presentations focused on two individuals, two Marines who gave everything for their nation. During the November presentation, Pacific Valor will honor the heroism of Marine Staff Sergeant William J. Bordelon.
William Bordelon, Billy to his friends and family, was born on December 25th, 1920, in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up Catholic, he attended Central Catholic High School in San Antonio and immediately took to the school’s JROTC program. There he excelled, graduating in 1938 as a battalion major from JROTC in addition to his fine academic record.
Bordelon went to enlist immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor but was rejected for webbed feet. As a secondary option, Bordelon found himself joining the Marines on December 10th, and was soon training in San Diego, California. After his basic training, he was transferred to the 2nd Engineer Battalion of the 2nd Marine Division. Here he was quickly promoted, going from private to corporal by March 14th, 1942. His promotion to sergeant followed only a few months later, on July 10th. It was as a sergeant that Bordelon would get his first combat experience, as the 2nd Engineer Battalion was deployed on Guadalcanal from January 4th to February 19th, 1943. It was after this campaign that Bordelon would be promoted to staff sergeant. Soon after the 2nd Engineer Battalion left Guadalcanal, Bordelon was transferred as part of a new reorganization initiative to integrate engineer platoons into infantry units. He was now in 1st Battalion, 18th Marines. After a period of rest, refitting, and training, the 2nd Marine Division would be called upon in November of 1943 to invade and secure the island of Tarawa. It would be here where Staff Sergeant Bordelon would make the ultimate sacrifice and become etched into American history.
Staff Sergeant William J Bordelon, USMC. From the Naval History and Heritage Command.
Tarawa, too, would soon become a household name in American history. Sitting between the Marshalls and Solomons, the Gilbert Islandsn (including Tarawa) were incredibly important in controlling the South Pacific. With Tarawa’s rudimentary airfield, Japanese planes could harass American ships and aircraft going towards the Marshalls from the Solomon Islands, which the United States had recently captured in early 1943. Tarawa, simply, was in the way of further American offensives in the South Pacific and could not be bypassed. Not only would Tarawa need to be taken, but the operation to take it needed to be incredibly swift.The Japanese navy had a plan for defending Tarawa beyond simply stopping the land invasion. The true masterstroke was to hold up the land invasion on the beaches long enough for the Japanese naval fleet to steam in and utterly destroy the American landing force. A similar situation had happened once already off the coast of Guadalcanal, so the Americans were wise to such strategy. To truly take victory from Tarawa, the Americans would not only have to take the island but take it quickly enough to secure it against Japanese counterattack. Quick, violent action was the plan for Tarawa, and Marine Combat Engineers like SSgt. Bordelon would soon prove crucial in destroying the carefully-crafted Japanese defenses covering the island.
As his LVT (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) trundled through the water towards the beaches of Tarawa, Bordelon’s 25-man team was whittled down to 4 by Japanese fire before they even hit the beach. Scrambling over the side of the LVT, SSgt Bordelon leapt into action and would earn the Medal of Honor for his deeds that day:
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, 20 November 1943. Landing in the assault waves under withering enemy fire which killed all but four of the men in his tractor, SSgt. Bordelon Hurriedly made demolition charges and personally put two pillboxes 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 singlehandedly assaulted a fourth Japanese machine-gun position, but was instantly killed when caught in a final burst of fire from the enemy. SSgt. 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 three days of violent battle reflects the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
After his death, Bordelon’s remains were initially interred in the Lone Palm cemetery on Tarawa, and his parents were presented with his Medal of Honor by President Roosevelt in June of 1944 at a large ceremony in Alamo Stadium. Eventually, he was reinterred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. Finally, in 1995 at the request of his brother, his remains were returned home to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio where they remain today.
Contributor
Grant Hanson, Living History Coordinator, National Museum of the Pacific War
