24 Facts About Guy Gabaldon

Guy Louis Gabaldon was a Chicano in the United States Marine who, at age 18, captured or persuaded to surrender over 1,300 Japanese soldiers and civilians during the battles for Saipan and Tinian islands in 1944 during World War II.

Guy Gabaldon, who was of Mexican descent, was one of seven children.

Guy Gabaldon was raised in East Los Angeles and, as a ten-year-old, he helped his family by shining shoes on Skid Row.

Guy Gabaldon became a member of a multi-ethnic gang known as the "Moe Gang".

Guy Gabaldon attended language school every day with their children and learned to speak Japanese.

Guy Gabaldon traveled to Alaska to work in a cannery.

Guy Gabaldon received his basic training at Camp Pendleton, completed the Enlisted Marine Japanese Language School at Camp Elliot in San Diego, and was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, as a scout and observer.

Guy Gabaldon was reprimanded by his superior officers, and threatened with a court-martial for leaving his post.

Guy Gabaldon convinced one of them to return to his cave, with an offering of surrender.

Robert B Sheeks, who served on Saipan, Gabaldon is described by Sheeks as a relentless self-promoter who grossly exaggerated his exploits on Saipan and Tinian and that most of the Japanese he captured were civilians, not soldiers as he claimed.

The book states that the number of Japanese captured by Guy Gabaldon was likely about half of the 1,500 that he claimed.

Many others besides Guy Gabaldon were involved in those efforts, but according to Sheeks, Guy Gabaldon minimized the involvement of others when talking about his exploits during and after the battle.

In one instance, witnessed by Sheeks, Guy Gabaldon struck and broke the jaw of an elderly Japanese civilian who did not answer one of Guy Gabaldon's questions quickly enough.

Guy Gabaldon claimed he was credited with the capture of approximately 1,500 Japanese soldiers and civilians on Saipan and Tinian and was recommended for the Medal of Honor by his commanding officer Captain John Schwabe, who noted that Guy Gabaldon single-handedly captured more than ten times the number of prisoners taken by legendary Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt.

Alvin C York, in World War I Despite this recommendation, Gabaldon was awarded a Silver Star Medal.

Guy Gabaldon received an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps as a result of his combat wounds.

Later, Guy Gabaldon appeared as himself on the September 1,1960 episode of the CBS game show To Tell the Truth.

The fact that Guy Gabaldon 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.

Guy Gabaldon was portrayed by actors Jeffrey Hunter as an adult and by Richard Eyer as a boy.

Guy Gabaldon himself served as an adviser in the filming of the movie.

In 1964, Guy Gabaldon unsuccessfully ran for the United States Congress as a Republican in California.

Guy Gabaldon was an avid pilot and flew small planes all over the CNMI.

In September 2004, Guy Gabaldon was honored by the Pentagon, in a ceremony which recognized the contributions of Hispanic American World War II veterans.

Guy Gabaldon was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.