by Gerald Boerner
We look at the life of a Marine stationed on Saipan during the battle for that critical island during World War II in the Pacific. Guy Gabaldon was just a private, but he took the initiative to go out into the caves occupied by the Japanese soldiers during the night to try to get these soldiers to surrender.
Given the Bushido code of the Samurai that prevented the Japanese from surrendering on other Pacific Islands, the success of this Marine private was incredible. Gabaldon had learned some Japanese from his East LA neighborhood. So instead of being court marshaled for abandoning his guard post, he was nominated for the Medal of Honor (which was downgraded to the Navy Cross).
Such inspired behavior is not uncommon on the battlefield. We need to become aware of cases like this and reward them. Thank God for brave soldiers who show appropriate initiative to help save the lives of their battlefield companions. GLB
[ 2440 Words ]
“All of our reasoning ends in surrender to feeling.”
— Blaise Pascal
“A wise unselfishness is not a surrender of yourself to the wishes of anyone, but only to the best discoverable course of action.”
— David Seabury
“Acted drama requires surrender of one’s self, sympathetic absorption in the play as it develops.”
— George P. Baker
“As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it.”
— Martin Van Buren