Film 1960 "Hell to Eternity," with Jeffrey Hunter
Drat! I was hoping for a little more time! You're too good, Vee!
Incidentally, I was looking up Tinian at the time. Tinian led to Saipan and that led to Guy Gabaldon.
If you've never heard of this guy, you need to check it out. He is responsible for getting 1500 Japanese soldiers and civilians to surrender during the battle of Saipan. Born in LA to a Mexican family, he grew up with a Japanese family since the time he was 12 from which he learned Japanese language and customs.
Going out on his own at night (never a safe thing to do in Pacific battles) he would tell the Japanese that they were going to be treated well, counter to Japanese propaganda. He was amazingly successful. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor by his CO, but ended up with Silver Star instead. When he appeared on This is Your Life in 1957 his exploits became widely known and the movie came out in 1960. By the end of the year the Navy undid their prior injustice by upgrading his SS to the Navy Cross. People and groups have still requested his Navy Cross be upgraded to the Medal, but the Navy has rejected it.
I guess the Marine Corps figured they couldn't let the Army have all the good Mexicans; right, Roque?
