Guy Gabaldon - Awards and Recognitions

Awards and Recognitions

On November 23, 1960, the United States Government upgraded Gabaldon's Silver Star Medal to a Navy Cross Medal. Next to the Medal of Honor, this is the Marine Corps' highest military decoration.

During his lifetime, Gabaldon received many awards and recognitions, including resolutions honoring him from the City of Los Angeles, the City of Chicago, and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas. He was also the recipient of the Chesty Puller Award.

On July 7, 2006, Gabaldon was honored by the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa and the entire Los Angeles City Council. The Mayor and the City Council sent a resolution to the White House, requesting the Medal of Honor for Gabaldon. That same year the World War II Veteran’s Committee in Washington, D.C., a prominent organization which showcases the veterans of World War II and their history, featured Gabaldon on the cover of their quarterly magazine. Gabaldon was also honored by the National Council of La Raza, a national organization and a leading Latino civil rights advocate, at their annual conference that July.

In addition to the Hollywood movie Hell to Eternity, which recounted Gabaldon's heroism during World War II, Hollywood producer Steve Rubin made a documentary film about Gabaldon titled East L.A. Marine: the Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon. Military artist Henry Godines also unveiled a commissioned portrait, titled The Pied Piper of Saipan, Guy Gabaldon.