[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21773]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING GUY GABALDON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus, I rise today to pay tribute to all U.S. service 
members and veterans for their service and dedication to our Nation. 
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we would like to pay special tribute to 
service members and veterans of Hispanic decent who have served with 
pride, valor and distinction since the revolutionary war.
  In particular, we want to recognize World War II veteran Guy 
Gabaldon, who passed away recently. Born in Los Angeles, California on 
March, 22, 1926, Mr. Gabaldon grew up in Boyle Heights. He died on 
August 31, 2006 in Old Town, Florida. Mr. Gabaldon is an excellent 
example of the dedication that Latinos in uniform have demonstrated 
while providing the highest service to our country.
  As a child, Marine Private First Class Guy ``Gabby'' Gabaldon, 
befriended and eventually moved in with a Japanese American family. 
When the U.S. entered WWII, Gabaldon joined the Marines, and served as 
a mortar crewman and scout observer. Through his familiarity with the 
Japanese language and culture, Mr. Gabaldon gained the distinction of 
capturing more enemy soldiers than anyone else in the history of U.S. 
military conflicts.
  While serving in Saipan, he received a Silver Star for obtaining 
vital information and capturing more than 1,000 enemy personnel in the 
face of direct fire. PFC Gabaldon was able to persuade the weakened 
Japanese soldiers to surrender, in spite of their orders to fight. His 
commanding officer and fellow Marines nominated him for the Medal of 
Honor. He was awarded the Silver Star, which was elevated to a Navy 
Cross in December of 1960.
  Mr. Gabaldon and the more than one million Latino service members and 
veterans deserve our gratitude and admiration. They have always been an 
integral part in the fabric of our military. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in paying tribute to Mr. Gabaldon, and all of our nation's 
Latino service members and veterans.

                          ____________________