Guy Gabaldon

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Guy Louis Gabaldon
March 22, 1926(1926-03-22) – August 31, 2006 (aged 80)

PFC Guy Gabaldon, Navy Cross recipient
Nickname "Gabby", "The Pied Piper of Saipan"
Place of birth Los Angeles, California
Place of death Old Town, Florida
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1943 - 1945
Rank Private First Class
Unit 2nd Marine Regiment
Battles/wars World War II
*Battle of Saipan
Awards Navy Cross
Silver Star
Purple Heart

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.

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[edit] Early years

Gabaldon was born in Los Angeles, 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.[1] Gabaldon who was a member of a multiethnic gang referred to as the "Moe gang,"[2] 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.[3]

[edit] World War II

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. In March 22, 1943, Gabaldon's 17th birthday, he joined the United States Marines Corps. After receiving his basic training at Camp Pendleton he was assigned to Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division.

[edit] The Pied Piper of Saipan

The United States considered the possibility of a full scale invasion of the Japanese mainland and realized 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.[4]

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".[3]

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!"[1]

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.[1]

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".[1]

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.[1][5]

[edit] Post World War II

Gabaldon received an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps as a result of his combat 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.[6] Gabaldon, whose first marriage to June Gabaldon ended in divorce, met the person who was to became his second wife, Ohara Suzuki while working in Mexico.[3]

Gabaldon's World War II exploits became public when in 1957, he was the invited guest of "This is Your Life",[2] a popular television program aired by NBC in the 1950's, hosted by Ralph Edwards, which presented the life stories of entertainment personalities and "ordinary" people who had contributed in some way to society.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9]

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.[9]

[edit] Navy Cross citation


GABALDON, GUY L.


Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)
Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2d 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 Saipan and Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands, South Pacific Area, from 15 June to 1 August 1944. Acting as a Japanese Interpreter 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 jungle 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 Service.[10]

Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 23, 1960 (Upgraded from Silver Star)

[edit] Later years

Guy Gabaldon speaking at Pentagon ceremony honoring Hispanic World War II veterans, September 2004.
Guy Gabaldon speaking at Pentagon ceremony honoring Hispanic World War II veterans, September 2004.

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 two books — Saipan: Suicide Island and America Betrayed.[6]

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 request 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.[8]

On August 31, 2006, Gabaldon died in Old Town, Florida of heart disease. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.[11]Gabaldon is survived by his wife, Ohana; his sons Guy Jr., Ray, Tony, Yoshio, Jeffrey and Russell; his daughters Aiko, Hanako and Manya.[9]

[edit] 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 Chicago and the City of Los Angeles. He was also the recipient of the Chesty Puller Award.[12]

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.[8]

[edit] Military decorations

Among PFC Gabaldon's military decorations are the following:

[edit] See also

United States Marine Corps Portal

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e War Times Journal, Retrieved November 4, 2007
  2. ^ a b A Friendship Like No Other, Retrieved November 4, 2007
  3. ^ a b c Honolulu Star, Sunday, June 6, 2004, Retrieved November 4, 2007
  4. ^ The Battle of Saipan, Retrieved November 4, 2007
  5. ^ Medal of Honor Nominees Portrayed On Film, November 5, 2007
  6. ^ a b Sendensky, Matt. "Pied Piper of Saipan coaxed Japanese soldiers to give up", The Virginian Pilot (obituaries), The Associated Press, 2006-09-05, p. B9. Retrieved on 2006-09-05. 
  7. ^ This is your Life, Retrieved November 4, 2007
  8. ^ a b c Guy Gabaldon, American Hero of the 20th Century, Retrieved November 4, 2007
  9. ^ a b c Guy Gabaldon, 80, Hero of Battle of Saipan, Dies; New York Times; By Richard Goldstein; Published: September 4, 2006, Retrieved November 4, 2007
  10. ^ Gabaldon, Guy L.. Full Text Citations For Award of The Navy Cross To U.S. Marines World War II. HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved on 2006-07-25.
  11. ^ Arlington National Cemetery, Retrieved November 4, 2007
  12. ^ Guy Gabaldon, Retrieved November 4, 2007

[edit] References

  • Guy Gabaldon (1990). Saipan: Suicide Island. 
  • Guy Gabaldon (1990). America Betrayed. ASIN B000EBA0Y6. 

[edit] External links

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Persondata
NAME Gabaldon, Guy Louis
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION navy cross winner, author
DATE OF BIRTH March 22, 1926
PLACE OF BIRTH Los Angeles, California
DATE OF DEATH August 31, 2006
PLACE OF DEATH Old Town, Florida
Languages