Guy Gabaldon
Encyclopedia
PFC
Guy Louis Gabaldon ( March 22, 1926–August 31, 2006) was a United States Marine who was credited with capturing (or persuading to surrender) about 1,500 Japanese soldiers and civilians during the Battle of Saipan
(1944) in World War II
. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor
but was instead awarded the Silver Star
which was later upgraded to the Navy Cross Medal for these actions. His exploits were turned into the film Hell to Eternity
.
, California
into a Mexican-American family, he was one of seven children. He was raised in East Los Angeles
where as a ten year old he would earn a living by shining shoes on Skid Row. Gabaldon who was a member of a multiethnic gang referred to as the "Moe gang," moved out of his house at the age of 12 and moved in with the Nakanos, a family of Japanese-American heritage whom he considered his extended family. He attended language school every day with their children and learned to speak Japanese
. He also learned about their customs and culture.
At the outbreak of World War II the Nakanos, his "adopted" family, were sent to a relocation camp
in Arizona
. He went to Alaska
to work in a cannery. On March 22, 1943, Gabaldon's 17th birthday, he joined the United States Marine Corps. After receiving his basic training at Camp Pendleton
he was assigned to Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
but decided that such a feat would be costly with an estimated one million American casualties. The capture of Saipan
was considered essential for the establishment of airfields which would accommodate the B-29 Superfortress
bombers to be used for the planned invasion. On June 15, 1944, an armada of 535 ships carrying 127,570 U. S. military personnel which included Marines from the 2nd and 4th Divisions began the invasion of Saipan. Japanese soldiers seldom surrendered during World War II and, as the invasion went badly for the Japanese, they were ordered by their superiors on Saipan to kill seven U.S. Marine and Army
troops for every man they lost, or commit suicide.
Gabaldon began bringing in prisoners the very first day that he arrived on Saipan. According to Gabaldon:
He was reprimanded by his superior officers and threatened with a court-martial
for leaving his post. However, the next night he went out and repeated once more his actions. He carefully approached a cave, shot the guards outside, moved off to one side of the cave, and yelled in Japanese, "You're surrounded and have no choice but to surrender. Come out, and you will not be killed! I assure you will be well-treated. We do not want to kill you!"
The next morning he returned with 50 Japanese prisoners. As a result Gabaldon was permitted by his commanding officer to act as a "lone wolf" operator.
This was the situation when on July 7, 1944, after spending a night near Saipan's northern cliffs, Gabaldon heard and listened to thousands of Japanese troops and civilians preparing for a large "banzai charge." The attack was unsuccessful and the surviving Japanese returned to their positions. The next day, Gabaldon captured two guards and convinced one of them to return to the cave with an offering of surrender. Shortly after, a Japanese officer showed up and after speaking to Gabaldon accepted the conditions of surrender. Over eight hundred soldiers and civilians surrendered to Gabaldon and were turned over to the United States military authorities. For his exploits, Gabaldon became known as the "Pied Piper of Saipan".
Gabaldon continued to capture more Japanese soldiers until he was wounded in a machine gun
ambush. He was credited with the capture of 1,500 enemy personnel and was recommended for the Medal of Honor by his commanding officer, Capt. John Schwabe, on the justification that he singlehandedly captured more than ten times the number of prisoners taken by Sgt. Alvin C. York in World War I
, Gabaldon however, was awarded a Silver Star
instead.
wounds. After he returned to civilian life, he moved to Mexico
and ventured into various businesses such as a furniture store, fishing, and the import-export of Mexican goods. Gabaldon, whose first marriage to June Gabaldon ended in divorce, met the person who was to became his second wife, Ohana Suzuki while working in Mexico.
Gabaldon's World War II exploits became public when in 1957, he was the invited guest of This is Your Life
, a popular television program aired by NBC
in the 1950s, hosted by Ralph Edwards
, which presented the life stories of entertainment personalities and "ordinary" people who had contributed in some way to society. The fact that he captured at least 1,500 Japanese prisoners was verified on the national program by Marines Corps intelligence officers Colonel Walter Layer, Colonel John Schwabe, Major James High and several enlisted men from military intelligence.
Hollywood producers became interested in Gabaldon's story and in 1960 released the film Hell to Eternity
where his actions on Saipan were memorialized. He was portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter
as an adult and by Richard Eyer
as a boy. Gabaldon himself served as an adviser in the filming of the movie.
On November 23, 1960, after his exploits became widely known through the television program and the movie, the United States Government upgraded his Silver Star Medal to a Navy Cross Medal which is the Marine Corps second highest military decoration to the Medal of Honor.
GABALDON, GUY L.
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)
Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Date of Action: June 15 - August 1, 1944
Citation:
Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 23, 1960 (Upgraded from Silver Star)
Gabaldon ran unsuccessfully for United States Congress
in California
in 1964. In 1970, he
moved to Saipan with his wife where he established a seafood business. There he authored and self-published a book; Saipan: Suicide Island, also re-printed as America Betrayed. He lived in Saipan for 20 years.
Gabaldon returned to California in 1995 and moved to Old Town, Florida
in 2003. On September 2004, he was among the Hispanics honored by The Pentagon
in a ceremony honoring Hispanic American World War II veterans. On July 7, 2006, Gabaldon was honored by the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa
and the entire Los Angeles City Council. The Mayor and the City Council prepared a resolution which was sent to the White House
requesting the Medal of Honor for Gabaldon. That same year the World War II Veteran’s Committee in Washington, D.C.
, a prominent organization that showcases the veterans of World War II and their history, featured Gabaldon on the cover of their quarterly magazine. Gabaldon was also honored by the National Council of La Raza
, a national organization and a leading Latino civil rights advocate at their annual conference that July.
Various organizations have requested the Medal of Honor for Gabaldon, but their requests have been rejected. After lobbying by the Hispanic community, the case is currently under review by the Department of Defense
so that Gabaldon's Navy Cross Medal be upgraded to the original recommendation, the Medal of Honor.
of heart disease. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery
. Gabaldon is survived by his wife, Ohana; his sons Guy Jr., Ray, Tony, Yoshio, Jeffrey and Russell; his daughters Aiko, Hanako and Manya.
and the City of Los Angeles. He was also the recipient of the Chesty Puller
Award.
Hollywood producer Steve Rubin, made a documentary film about Gabaldon titled "East L.A. Marine: the Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon" and military artist, Henry Godines unveiled the "Pied Piper of Saipan, Guy Gabaldona", a commissioned portrait of Guy Gabaldon.
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
Guy Louis Gabaldon ( March 22, 1926–August 31, 2006) was a United States Marine who was credited with capturing (or persuading to surrender) about 1,500 Japanese soldiers and civilians during the Battle of Saipan
Battle of Saipan
The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June-9 July 1944. The Allied invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, the day before Operation Overlord in Europe was...
(1944) in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
but was instead awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
which was later upgraded to the Navy Cross Medal for these actions. His exploits were turned into the film Hell to Eternity
Hell to Eternity
Hell to Eternity is a 1960 World War II film starring Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Vic Damone and directed by Phil Karlson. This film biopic is about the true experiences of Marine hero Pfc...
.
Early years
Gabaldon was born in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
into a Mexican-American family, he was one of seven children. He was raised in East Los Angeles
East Los Angeles, California
East Los Angeles is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States...
where as a ten year old he would earn a living by shining shoes on Skid Row. Gabaldon who was a member of a multiethnic gang referred to as the "Moe gang," moved out of his house at the age of 12 and moved in with the Nakanos, a family of Japanese-American heritage whom he considered his extended family. He attended language school every day with their children and learned to speak Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
. He also learned about their customs and culture.
World War II
Japanese American internment
Japanese-American internment was the relocation and internment by the United States government in 1942 of approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese who lived along the Pacific coast of the United States to camps called "War Relocation Camps," in the wake of Imperial Japan's attack on...
in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. He went to Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
to work in a cannery. On March 22, 1943, Gabaldon's 17th birthday, he joined the United States Marine Corps. After receiving his basic training at Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
he was assigned to Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
The Pied Piper of Saipan
The United States considered the possibility of a full scale invasion of the Japanese mainlandOperation Downfall
Operation Downfall was the Allied plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of World War II. The operation was cancelled when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan. The operation had two parts: Operation...
but decided that such a feat would be costly with an estimated one million American casualties. The capture of Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
was considered essential for the establishment of airfields which would accommodate the B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
bombers to be used for the planned invasion. On June 15, 1944, an armada of 535 ships carrying 127,570 U. S. military personnel which included Marines from the 2nd and 4th Divisions began the invasion of Saipan. Japanese soldiers seldom surrendered during World War II and, as the invasion went badly for the Japanese, they were ordered by their superiors on Saipan to kill seven U.S. Marine and Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
troops for every man they lost, or commit suicide.
Gabaldon began bringing in prisoners the very first day that he arrived on Saipan. According to Gabaldon:
"The first night I was on Saipan, I went out on my own," said Gabaldon, "I always worked on my own, and brought back two prisoners using my backstreet Japanese".
He was reprimanded by his superior officers and threatened with a court-martial
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
for leaving his post. However, the next night he went out and repeated once more his actions. He carefully approached a cave, shot the guards outside, moved off to one side of the cave, and yelled in Japanese, "You're surrounded and have no choice but to surrender. Come out, and you will not be killed! I assure you will be well-treated. We do not want to kill you!"
The next morning he returned with 50 Japanese prisoners. As a result Gabaldon was permitted by his commanding officer to act as a "lone wolf" operator.
This was the situation when on July 7, 1944, after spending a night near Saipan's northern cliffs, Gabaldon heard and listened to thousands of Japanese troops and civilians preparing for a large "banzai charge." The attack was unsuccessful and the surviving Japanese returned to their positions. The next day, Gabaldon captured two guards and convinced one of them to return to the cave with an offering of surrender. Shortly after, a Japanese officer showed up and after speaking to Gabaldon accepted the conditions of surrender. Over eight hundred soldiers and civilians surrendered to Gabaldon and were turned over to the United States military authorities. For his exploits, Gabaldon became known as the "Pied Piper of Saipan".
Gabaldon continued to capture more Japanese soldiers until he was wounded in a machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
ambush. He was credited with the capture of 1,500 enemy personnel and was recommended for the Medal of Honor by his commanding officer, Capt. John Schwabe, on the justification that he singlehandedly captured more than ten times the number of prisoners taken by Sgt. Alvin C. York in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Gabaldon however, was awarded a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
instead.
Post World War II
Gabaldon received an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps as a result of his combatCombat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
wounds. After he returned to civilian life, he moved to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and ventured into various businesses such as a furniture store, fishing, and the import-export of Mexican goods. Gabaldon, whose first marriage to June Gabaldon ended in divorce, met the person who was to became his second wife, Ohana Suzuki while working in Mexico.
Gabaldon's World War II exploits became public when in 1957, he was the invited guest of This is Your Life
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally hosted by its producer, Ralph Edwards from 1952 to 1961. In the show, the host surprises a guest, and proceeds to take them through their life in front of an audience including friends and family.Edwards...
, a popular television program aired by NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
in the 1950s, hosted by Ralph Edwards
Ralph Edwards
Ralph Livingstone Edwards was an American radio and television host and television producer.-Early career:Born in Merino, Colorado , Edwards worked for KROW-AM in Oakland, California while he was still in high school...
, which presented the life stories of entertainment personalities and "ordinary" people who had contributed in some way to society. The fact that he captured at least 1,500 Japanese prisoners was verified on the national program by Marines Corps intelligence officers Colonel Walter Layer, Colonel John Schwabe, Major James High and several enlisted men from military intelligence.
Hollywood producers became interested in Gabaldon's story and in 1960 released the film Hell to Eternity
Hell to Eternity
Hell to Eternity is a 1960 World War II film starring Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Vic Damone and directed by Phil Karlson. This film biopic is about the true experiences of Marine hero Pfc...
where his actions on Saipan were memorialized. He was portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter
Jeffrey Hunter
Jeffrey Hunter was an American film and television actor. His most famous roles are as Jesus in the film King of Kings, as Martin Pawley in The Searchers, and as Capt...
as an adult and by Richard Eyer
Richard Eyer
Richard Ross Eyer is a former American child actor during the 1950s and 1960s who taught elementary school in the eastern Sierra city of Bishop in Inyo County until he retired in 2006. He is the older brother of Robert Eyer Richard Ross Eyer (born May 6, 1945, Santa Monica, California) is a former...
as a boy. Gabaldon himself served as an adviser in the filming of the movie.
On November 23, 1960, after his exploits became widely known through the television program and the movie, the United States Government upgraded his Silver Star Medal to a Navy Cross Medal which is the Marine Corps second highest military decoration to the Medal of Honor.
Navy Cross citation
Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)
Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Date of Action: June 15 - August 1, 1944
Citation:
- The Navy Cross is presented to Guy L. Gabaldon, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism while serving with Headquarters and Service Company, Second Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on SaipanBattle of SaipanThe Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June-9 July 1944. The Allied invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, the day before Operation Overlord in Europe was...
and TinianBattle of TinianThe Battle of Tinian was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands from 24 July 1944 to 1 August 1944.-Background:...
, Northern Mariana IslandsNorthern Mariana IslandsThe Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
, South Pacific AreaSouth West Pacific theatre of World War IIThe South West Pacific Theatre, technically the South West Pacific Area, between 1942 and 1945, was one of two designated area commands and war theatres enumerated by the Combined Chiefs of Staff of World War II in the Pacific region....
, from 15 June to 1 August 1944. Acting as a JapaneseJapanese languageis a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
InterpreterInterpretingLanguage interpretation is the facilitating of oral or sign-language communication, either simultaneously or consecutively, between users of different languages...
for the Second Marines, Private First Class Gabaldon displayed extreme courage and initiative in single-handedly capturing enemy civilian and military personnel during the Saipan and Tinian operations. Working alone in front of the lines, he daringly entered enemy caves, pillboxes, buildings, and jungleJungleA Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
brush, frequently in the face of hostile fire, and succeeded in not only obtaining vital military information, but in capturing well over one thousand enemy civilians and troops. Through his valiant and distinguished exploits, Private First Class Gabaldon made an important contribution to the successful prosecution of the campaign and, through his efforts, a definite humane treatment of civilian prisoners was assured. His courageous and inspiring devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval ServiceUnited States Department of the NavyThe Department of the Navy of the United States of America was established by an Act of Congress on 30 April 1798, to provide a government organizational structure to the United States Navy and, from 1834 onwards, for the United States Marine Corps, and when directed by the President, of the...
.
Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 23, 1960 (Upgraded from Silver Star)
Later years
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1964. In 1970, he
moved to Saipan with his wife where he established a seafood business. There he authored and self-published a book; Saipan: Suicide Island, also re-printed as America Betrayed. He lived in Saipan for 20 years.
Gabaldon returned to California in 1995 and moved to Old Town, Florida
Old Town, Florida
Old Town is an unincorporated community in Dixie County, Florida, United States. It is located at the intersection of US 19/US 98 and State Road 349.-Geography:...
in 2003. On September 2004, he was among the Hispanics honored by The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
in a ceremony honoring Hispanic American World War II veterans. On July 7, 2006, Gabaldon was honored by the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa , born Antonio Ramón Villar, Jr., is the 41st and current Mayor of Los Angeles, California, the third Mexican American to have ever held office in the city of Los Angeles and the first in over 130 years. He is also the current president of the United States Conference of...
and the entire Los Angeles City Council. The Mayor and the City Council prepared a resolution which was sent to the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
requesting the Medal of Honor for Gabaldon. That same year the World War II Veteran’s Committee in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, a prominent organization that showcases the veterans of World War II and their history, featured Gabaldon on the cover of their quarterly magazine. Gabaldon was also honored by the National Council of La Raza
National Council of La Raza
The National Council of La Raza is a non-profit and non-partisan advocacy group in the United States, focused on improving opportunities for Hispanics. It is sometimes confused with La Raza Unida...
, a national organization and a leading Latino civil rights advocate at their annual conference that July.
Various organizations have requested the Medal of Honor for Gabaldon, but their requests have been rejected. After lobbying by the Hispanic community, the case is currently under review by the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
so that Gabaldon's Navy Cross Medal be upgraded to the original recommendation, the Medal of Honor.
Death
On August 31, 2006, Gabaldon died in Old Town, FloridaOld Town, Florida
Old Town is an unincorporated community in Dixie County, Florida, United States. It is located at the intersection of US 19/US 98 and State Road 349.-Geography:...
of heart disease. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
. Gabaldon is survived by his wife, Ohana; his sons Guy Jr., Ray, Tony, Yoshio, Jeffrey and Russell; his daughters Aiko, Hanako and Manya.
Awards and recognitions
During his lifetime, Gabaldon received many awards and recognitions. Among them resolutions honoring him from the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas, the City of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and the City of Los Angeles. He was also the recipient of the Chesty Puller
Chesty Puller
Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Puller is the most decorated U.S...
Award.
Hollywood producer Steve Rubin, made a documentary film about Gabaldon titled "East L.A. Marine: the Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon" and military artist, Henry Godines unveiled the "Pied Piper of Saipan, Guy Gabaldona", a commissioned portrait of Guy Gabaldon.
Military decorations
Among PFC Gabaldon's military decorations are the following:Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all... |
Silver Star The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.... |
Purple Heart Purple Heart The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York... |
| Presidential Unit Citation | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was... |
World War II Victory Medal World War II Victory Medal The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of... |
See also
- Hispanic Americans in World War IIHispanic Americans in World War IIHispanic Americans, also referred to as Latinos, fought in every major battle in the European Theatre of World War II in which the armed forces of the United States were involved, from North Africa to the Battle of the Bulge, and in the Pacific Theater of Operations, from Bataan to Okinawa...
- List of Historically Important U.S. Marines
- Hispanics in the United States Marine CorpsHispanics in the United States Marine CorpsHispanics in the United States Marine Corps, such as Private France Silva who during the Boxer Rebellion became the first Marine of the thirteen Marines of Hispanic descent to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and Private First Class Guy Gabaldon who is credited with capturing over 1,000 enemy...
External links
- “East L.A. Marine– Full Movie”
- Guy Gabaldon's Website.
- Get Guy Gabaldon the Medal of Honor
- Film-Forward review of East L.A. Marine - Documentary on Gabaldon's life
- Hell to Eternity on Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
. . Resolution supporting the awarding of the Medal of Honor to Guy Gabaldo