PFC Guy Louis Gabaldon (March 22, 1926–August 31, 2006) was born in Los Angeles, California. His family was Mexican-American, and he was one of seven children. He was raised in East Los Angeles and, as a ten-year old, he helped his family by shining shoes on Skid Row
Gabaldon was a United States Marine who, at age 18, captured (or persuaded to surrender) roughly 1,500 Japanese soldiers and civilians during the Battle of Saipan (1944) in World War II. He did this even though his own family, back in the U.S., had been sent to a Japanese-American internment camp.
For these actions, Gabaldon was nominated for the Medal of Honor but was instead awarded the Silver Star, which was later upgraded to the Navy Cross Medal. His exploits were the basis for the 1960 Hollywood film Hell to Eternity.
PFC Guy Louis Gabaldon (March 22, 1926–August 31, 2006) was born in Los Angeles, California. His family was Mexican-American, and he was one of seven children. He was raised in East Los Angeles and, as a ten-year old, he helped his family by shining shoes on Skid Row