20NOV1943: Serving in an assault engineer platoon, SSgt William Bordelon's unit was heading towards the beaches of Tarawa, set to land in some of the first waves. With the heavy enemy fire raining down, only four from his craft would actually land able to move forward. Recognizing that Marines were pinned down on the beach, SSgt Bordelon quickly made some demolition charges and promptly destroyed two enemy bunkers. Moving to a third bunker, SSgt Bordelon was hit and severely wounded by enemy machine gun fire, but he wouldn't stop. Looking back, SSgt Bordelon identified wounded Marines in the surf at risk of drowning or being hit by further enemy fire. Without regard for his own personal safety, he ran out into the exposed area and pulled some of these men to shore. Approaching a fourth bunker, SSgt Bordelon prepped a charge and began his assault. In the process, he was hit and killed by enemy fire at the age of 22. For his actions in opening up the Tarawa beachhead, SSgt William Bordelon would be awarded the Medal of Honor.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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