Watch video – WWII Latino hero to be recognized in documentary to be released April 8
Posted by Elena del Valle on April 4, 2008
East LA Marine: The Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon DVD cover
Photos, video: Arts Alliance America
On April 8, Arts Alliance America will release a new documentary on DVD about a Latino WWII war hero. The 77-minute film, East LA Marine: The Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon, narrated by Freddie Prinze Jr. in English sets out to tell the story of U.S. Marine PFC Guy Gabaldon posthumously. The film producers support a national campaign to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to Gabaldon. Scroll down to watch a preview of East LA Marine: The Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon.
Guy Gabaldon
Financed by Fast Carrier Pictures, the film was produced and directed by Steve Rubin in 2006. Gabaldon died on August 31, 2006 without ever receiving the recognition many believe was his due perhaps in part because of his Latino heritage. During the bloody struggle for Saipan in July 1944, Gabaldon is officially credited with capturing over 1,500 Japanese soldiers and civilians. This, according to the film promoters, was accomplished single-handedly and is a record in the annals of American military history.
Gabaldon’s war accomplishments were portrayed in the film Hell to Eternity around 1960. Some credit him with sharing his experience and using his celebrity to inspire new generations who valued bravery and bravado, and helping wayward teenagers in the Mariana Islands when he returned there in 1980.
Arts Alliance America, formerly known as Hart Sharp Video, was founded in January 2003. It is a home entertainment company that develops, acquires, markets and distributes DVDs in the film, documentaries, special interest and sports genres. The company has partnerships with TV Guide, E! Entertainment Television, Sundance Channel Home Entertainment, ESPN, MLB Productions, and Bombo Sports and Entertainment.
Marine “Gabby” Gabaldon deserves the MOH without a doubt!
He saved many Japanese and most of all American Marine’s lives by his ability to speak the Japanese language. America owe’s this Marine the highest honor it can bestow.
former Sgt of Marine’s Mike Hearne
1960 – 1966 Viet Vet
Guy was a true marine who not only saved lives but spoke another language and noone seemed to recognize his valoridy and strength of what it takes to be a good marine in that era. Latinos were not recognized but put aside and not given any credit. But its so sorry to know he passed away and now he was remembered and accepted after all these years.
Incredible man who without any doubt saved hundreds of American lives in Saipan. We know that he didn’t get the Medal of Honor because he was from Mexican ancestry and worst raise by American of Japanese descent. It is time to push away racism and to award him posthumously the Medal of Honor he deserves so well. His heroic actions will be describe in my new book called American Samurais – WWII in the Pacific about the Nisei who saved million lives in the pacific according to General Willoughby Intelligence chief of MacArthur.
I wasn’t all surprised to hear of this story…just surprised that “Hollywood” hasn’t picked up on Guy Gabaldon’s heroic and humane deeds during this bloody conflict (war). It would no doubt…in my humble opinion (if done accurately and with the right scriptwriters) be a blockbuster of a movie….and in turn would in deed turn a persuasive eye and award this hero (Guy Gabaldon) the MOH posthumously (as unfortunate as most MOH recipients of ethnicity such as Hispanics are…
Between 2014-2018, I worked as a contracted instructor and substitute teacher in Southern California’s 5 major counties. Most of the classrooms where I taught were grades 5th-10th and made up of predominately Hispanic students. I shared the story of Guy Gabaldon every opportunity that I had, always with positive responses. On one account when asking students about their future ambitions, a young Hispanic male replied that he wanted to be like a certain famous drug cartel leader. Without saying a negative word about his role model, I shared Guy’s story with him. By the end of that class period the youth had adopted a new hero in his life. I’d like to know if there has been any progress on these projects.
It is about time this bravery plus wit and self sacrifice was recognized !
I cannot understand that he left the army as a PFC. He should at least gotten a couple of promotions. I believe those that denied him would not have the courage to do what he did.