WIX Archives
Just found out Guy Bordelon passed away 19 Dec...
Posted by Lynn on Thu Jan 02, 2003 05:03:13 PM
In reply top null posted by null on null
Only USN Korean Ace of the conflict, all scored in his F4U-5N.
Godspeed, Guy.
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Guy Pierre Bordelon, Jr.
Guy Pierre Bordelon, Jr., CDR USN Ret., 80, passed away early Thursday morning, December 19, 2002.
Guy was the only son of Guy P. and Thurla Hearn Bordelon, Sr. He was born February 1, 1922 in Ruston, LA.
His father, a Marksville native, taught at Ruston High School and LA Tech. His mother, Thurla, born in Haynesville, was a well known artist.
Much of Guy's childhood was spent here in Ruston where he had many fond memories of time spent with his grandfather, Mr. Wm. "Gip" Hearn. He earned the distinction of Eagle Scout and later graduated from high school in Alexandria, LA in 1939.
Guy attended LA Tech from Spring 1940 through summer of 1941, and then enrolled at LSU to study law. The bombing of Pearl Harbor intervened, causing him to enlist in the U.S. Navy. After basic training, he transferred to Flight Training, earning his "wings" and the rank of Ensign.
In 1943 he married Anne Craig Taylor, his favorite jitterbug dance partner. They had been married for almost 60 years.
His naval career was packed with adventures from near drowning in a Hawaiian Tsunami, surviving a midair collision, and flying through a nuclear blast cloud in the early 1960s. Most importantly, he held the distinction of becoming the only U.S. Navy Ace of the Korean War, the only propellor ace of the Korean War, and the only Navy night flying ace of the Korean War. He accomplished this amazing feat flying an F4U Corsair which he nicknamed "Annie Mo" after his beloved wife.
The Vietnam War saw him stationed in the Phillipine Islands where he served as Comfair West Pac Deputy Commander. One of many responsibilities was retrieval and rescue of US planes shot down over Vietnam, another was the establishment of a jungle survival escape and evasion school for US Aviations.
Guy's final tour of duty was as Public Relations Officer for Man Space Craft Recovery with NASA in Norfolk, VA. He retired in 1969. At his retirement ceremony an American Flag displayed next to him flew open and wrapped him in an embrace, an appropriate tribute to a 100% American Hero.
After retirement, he worked for the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce until returning to his Ruston roots in 1979.
In Ruston he enjoyed working for the Marbury Insurance Agency until retirement at 65 years.
Since then he had been active in Kiwanis Club, Trinity Methodist Church Choir, and the American Fighter Aces Association. Many of his memorabilia are on display at the North Central Louisiana Military Museum.
In 1999 the State of Louisiana and the City of Ruston declared July 16 to be known as "Commander Guy Bordelon, Jr. Day".
He is survived by his wife, Anne T. Bordelon; three children, Marc L. Bordelon of Seattle, WA, Marcia B. Wigdahl of San Diego, CA, Michele L. Bordelon of Virginia Beach, VA; four grandchildren, Andre, Margot and Guy Bordelon of Seattle, WA, and Taylor C. Keating of Virginia Beach, VA; two sisters, Mrs. Jean B. Neyland of Ft. Worth, TX and Mrs. Betty B. Keogh of Baton Rouge, LA. There are several nieces and nephews, plus his favorite canine pal, Ozzie.
Visitation will be from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 22, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December, 23, 2002.
Donations may be made to Trinity Methodist Building Fund, Trinity Methodist Choir, The Methodist Children's Home, or the North Central Louisiana Military Museum.