Honoring a Hero: Bordelon Family Shares Powerful Reflections at Pacific Valor
During the Museum’s Pacific Valor event on November 15, living history volunteers with Company K conducted a reenacted assault on Tarawa at the Museum’s Pacific Combat Zone. The demonstration interpreted U.S. Marine Corps combat operations during the Pacific campaign using restored World War II vehicles, blank-firing weapons, and simulated explosives. The program is designed to illustrate the physical conditions, tactical challenges, and intensity of amphibious warfare faced by Marines in the Pacific Theater.
The November 15 program was attended by members of the family of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant William Jennings Bordelon, who traveled to Fredericksburg to observe the reenactment depicting actions similar to those for which Bordelon was awarded the Medal of Honor during the November 1943 assault on Betio. Family members in attendance included his nephew Bill Bordelon, Bill’s son Lucas, and Bill’s wife Trish. Their presence was coordinated in advance as part of the Museum’s effort to connect living history programming with the individuals and families represented in the stories being interpreted.
In coordination with the program, the Museum displayed Staff Sgt. Bordelon’s original Medal of Honor from its permanent collection, allowing visitors to view the artifact alongside the living history demonstration. For Grant Hanson, the Museum’s Living History Coordinator, this marked the first time during his tenure that family members of a Medal of Honor recipient attended a reenactment directly connected to their relative’s actions during World War II.
Following the program, family members spoke with Museum staff about the experience of seeing the Medal of Honor citation and historical narrative presented in a live format. Lucas Bordelon, a recent graduate of Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, recognized the recitation of his great-uncle’s Medal of Honor citation during the program. He has previously read the citation through family history and school connections, including his involvement with the Bordelon Rifle Team, which honors Staff Sgt. Bordelon’s legacy.
The family also shared their perspective on the public display of the Medal of Honor, emphasizing the educational value of making such artifacts accessible to the public. They noted the significance of seeing Staff Sgt. Bordelon’s story presented in Texas, close to where he grew up and where much of his family history is rooted.
One of the most striking moments when speaking to the family came when Bill reflected on the Medal of Honor itself, which the Museum proudly displays. “There is no sense keeping a medal like that in someone’s private collection,” he said. “It was earned not just for one person or one family, but for the whole. It should be shared by all, as an example of what was done and as inspiration. That is what he did. And I am happy to see it here.”
As the conversation ended, the family’s gratitude was clear. “This means the world,” Bill said. Lucas echoed the sentiment, saying the family was proud to be present. Trish added that they did not expect the experience to feel as powerful as it did, and that it was something they would never forget.
