World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He was issued the award posthumously for his actions as a staff sergeant with the Assault Engineer Platoon, 1st Battalion, 18th Marines, on November 20, 1943, at Battle of Tarawa, Gilbert Islands. He graduated from high school in 1938 and following the US entry into World War II on December 7, 1941, he joined the US Marine Corps. Following his recruit training, he joined the 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, in San Diego, California. He rose in rank and by the time he was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations, he was a staff sergeant. At the Battle of Tarawa on November 20, 1943, he single-handedly destroyed four enemy pillboxes before he was killed at the age of 22. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. Originally buried in the Lone Palm Cemetery on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, he was moved to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu, Hawaii, then, at the request of his family, was relocated to the Fort Houston National Cemetery at San Antonio, Texas. In 1945, the Navy destroyer USS Bordelon (DD-881) was named in his honor and in April 1994, the Navy named San Antonio's Navy-Marine Corps Reserve Center after him. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "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."