Guy Louis Gabaldon was a United States Marine who, at age 18, captured or persuaded to surrender over 1,500 Japanese soldiers and civilians during the battles for Saipan and Tinian islands in 1944 during World War II.
For his actions, he earned the nickname, “The Pied Piper of Saipan.”
Though Gabaldon was recommended for the Medal of Honor, he received the Silver Star, which was upgraded by the Marine Corps to the Navy Cross in 1960.
In 2005, the Pentagon honored Gabaldon and other Hispanic Americans who fought in World War II. In 2006, he passed after a battle with heart disease.
Currently, the Department of Defense is reviewing his case to see if his Navy Cross is to be upgraded to a Medal of Honor.
Gabaldon was born in Los Angeles, California. Gabaldon, who was of Mexican descent, was one of seven children. He was raised in East Los Angeles and as a ten-year-old helped his family by shining shoes on Skid Row.
At age 12, he moved out of his home to live with the Nakano family, who were of Japanese heritage and 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.
In 1960, a friend of Gabaldon’s with Hollywood connections influenced the industry to make a movie about Gabaldon’s version of events on Saipan called Hell to Eternity.
He unsuccessfully ran for US Congressman in his Southern California district, in 1964.
In 1990, he authored a book entitled, Saipan: Suicide Island.
