Not all Hispanics served in the Army
during the Pacific fighting.

On Saipan and Tinian, Mariana Islands, South Pacific
in the summer of 1944, Marine PFC Guy "Gabby" Gabaldon
distinguished himself by  singlehandedly capturing over
1,000 Japanese.  He has the distinction of capturing more
enemy soldiers than anyone else in the history
of military conflicts of the U.S.

Born in Los Angeles, he was adopted by a Japanese American family,
who taught him Japanese. When war broke out with Japan, his "brothers"
joined the U.S. armed forces in Europe and his foster parents
and sister were sent to a relocation center.

After recruit training, Gabaldon qualified as a mortar crewman,
Japanese translator, and scout observer.  He then received
amphibous training, and was sent to Saipan on June 15, 1944.

While serving as a Japanese interpreter, he received a Silver Star.

His citation read in part.......

"PFC Gabaldon entered enemy positions in caves, pillboxes,
buildings and jungle brush and, in the face of direct enemy fire,
obtained vital information and aided in the capture of over one
thousand enemy civilians and enemy personnel.

Working alone in front of the lines, he contributed materially to
the success of the campaign

and through his efforts, a definite humane treatment of
prisoners was insured.....

"The weakened Japanese soldies had been commanded
to fight to the last man by their officers,

but Gabaldon persuaded them to surrender.

Twice wounded, he was evacuted to the United States
Hospital at Oceanside, California

After the war, Mr. Gabaldon appeared as a guest on the
NBC Television Show, "This is Your Life" in June 1957,
and a movie depicting his exploits entitled, "From
Hell to Eternity," appeared in 1960.