Guy Gabaldon - The Pied Piper of Saipan

Born: March 22, 1926, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Died: August 31, 2006, Old Town, Florida, U.S.A.

Guy Gabaldon was a Marine who turned his unique background and courage into a powerful tool for peace, showing that words could save more lives than weapons.

Guy, a Mexican American from East Los Angeles, became one of the most unlikely heroes of World War II. Known as the “Pied Piper of Saipan,” he convinced hundreds of Japanese soldiers and civilians to surrender, saving countless lives on both sides. His story is one of survival, courage, and the belief that words can sometimes be stronger than weapons.

Guy was born on March 22, 1926, the fourth of seven children in a poor family. Growing up in the slums of East Los Angeles during the Great Depression, he spent much of his youth shining shoes, running errands, and even helping the police keep an eye on criminals. “My childhood in the slums had much to do with my attitude in battle,” he later explained. Life on the streets taught him how to stay one step ahead of danger.

As a boy, Guy became close friends with two Japanese American brothers, Lane and Lyle Nakano. He admired their discipline and good character so much that he eventually moved in with their family. For seven years, he lived with the Nakanos, learning Japanese language and culture. This unusual upbringing would later shape his role in the war.

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Nakano family was sent to an internment camp, like thousands of other Japanese Americans. Lane and Lyle joined the U.S. Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team, while young Guy looked for his own way to serve. At just 17 years old, in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

By 1944, Private Gabaldon was sent to fight in the Pacific. His unit landed on the island of Saipan in June, facing fierce Japanese resistance. The battle was brutal and lasted nearly a month. The Japanese defenders, cut off from supplies, often chose to fight to the death or commit suicide rather than surrender. Thousands of civilians were caught in the middle.

It was in this desperate situation that Guy’s knowledge of Japanese became a powerful weapon. During his evening patrols, he would sneak close to enemy positions and call out in Japanese, urging soldiers and families to give up. At first, he brought in only a few prisoners. But soon, his efforts grew. He used his conversational Japanese to assure people that they would be treated with respect if they surrendered. He also warned that refusing meant certain death from flamethrowers or heavy artillery.

On July 8, 1944, just after the largest Banzai charge of the war, Guy captured two enemy soldiers. He convinced them to return to their caves and talk others into surrendering. To his amazement, hundreds of Japanese soldiers and civilians emerged. By the end of the day, more than 800 people had laid down their weapons. Over the course of the campaign, Gabaldon persuaded more than 1,000 to surrender, though some sources say the number may have been as high as 1,500. His actions saved American lives and prevented even greater bloodshed among the Japanese.

After Saipan, Guy continued his work on the island of Tinian, once again using words instead of bullets to capture groups of enemy soldiers. Eventually, he was wounded in a machine gun ambush and sent back to Hawaii to recover. His commanding officer nominated him for the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for bravery, but instead he received the Silver Star, later upgraded to the Navy Cross, the second-highest military honor.

Guy’s story caught the attention of Hollywood, and in 1960 the film Hell to Eternity was released, based on his life. Despite his fame, he remained humble about his service, often crediting his unusual childhood for giving him the tools to succeed. “Fighting in the Pacific tropical jungles and living in the East Los Angeles ghettos had a lot in common,” he once said.

Guy Gabaldon died in 2006 at the age of 80, but his story continues to inspire. He proved that courage is not only about charging into battle, but also means using intelligence, compassion, and respect to save lives. In the chaos of war, this street kid from East L.A. became a hero by showing that even enemies could be reached with words.

References:
“Guy Gabaldon an Interview and Discussion.” WTJ Interview with Guy Gabaldon, www.wtj.com/articles/gabaldon.
Lorenz, Luke. “Highlighting Our Heroes: Guy Gabaldon.” Navy League of the United States, 24 Nov. 2020, www.navyleague.org/news/highlighting-our-heroes-guy-gabaldon.
Stilwell, Blake. “‘The Pied Piper of Saipan’ Captured Hundreds of Enemy Troops at Age 18.” Military.Com, 28 Nov. 2022, www.military.com/history/pied-piper-of-saipan-captured-hundreds-of-enemy-troops-age-18.html.

Keywords:
Wartime, Justice, Courage, Perseverance, Responsibility, Selflessness, Make a Difference, Take Risks for Others

Explore ARTEFFECT projects about this Unsung Hero:
Guy Gabaldon Artworks

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‍Guy Gabaldon - Discovery Award 2019