Why Wasn't WWII Hero Guy Gabaldon Given the Medal of Honor?

Even though he was under regulation height and had a perforated ear drum, his knowledge of some Japanese language and culture secured him a place in the intelligence section of the 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

New York, NY -- Who was the 5’ 4” dynamo who sits somewhere between Sergeant York and Audie Murphy in military history? Hailed the “Pied Piper of Saipan,” Guy Gabaldon accomplished the impossible by single-handedly capturing 1500 Japanese prisoners. Never in the history of the United States military has one man captured that many of the enemy.

Guy, of Hispanic descent, grew up in East Lost Angeles and as a youngster became close friends with a number of Japanese-American families that helped raise him. Through his close relationships with the Japanese, he learned their language, culture, and customs. Little did he know then how his upbringing and street knowledge would help him to become an American hero – while simultaneously saving so many “enemy” lives.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Gabaldon’s close Japanese-American friends were all shipped to internment camps. Doing what he felt his family expected of him, he joined the Marines. Even though he was under regulation height and had a perforated ear drum, his knowledge of some Japanese language and culture secured him a place in the intelligence section of the 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

During the battle of Saipan, the U.S. lost 4,000 Marines and Army personnel. Against orders, Gabaldon would travel by himself into enemy territory, use a few salty slang Japanese words and capture prisoners. Two here, three there, until one day in July 1944, he grabbed 800 prisoners. But these were not only military – they were also civilians -- women and children, who, if not for Guy, would have been killed as casualties of war. His weapons were not his military tools, but his compassion and straight-forward Japanese words, convincing these people to come with him for safety. Some of them were even Japanese Imperial Marines who were told by Tokyo to never surrender.

For those who have seen the original 1960 film, From Hell To Eternity, in which Guy’s story is told, they would have thought Guy was a blue-eyed Caucasian since he was portrayed by poster-boy American actor Jeffrey Hunter.

When the movie was originally released the U.S. Marine Corps honored him with their highest decoration, the Navy Cross, but the Medal of Honor was still held back. Today, a number of people – senators, congresspersons, civic leaders, civilians and military would like to see this justice corrected. Now Americans get to have their say in petitioning the government to award Guy the medal.

By going to www.getguythemedal.com, those who believe Guy should have received the Medal of Honor can sign the petition to award Guy the honor he should have received sixty years ago.

And for those interested in learning more about Guy’s story, they can visit www.getguythemedal.com to pre-order a copy of the documentary, The Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon.