Brigadier General Robert E. Galer
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Fighting Squadron 224 (VMF-224)
F4F Wildcat
Fighter Pilot Earned Medal of Honor
Background
Robert Edward Galer was born October 23, 1913 in Seattle. Nicknamed "Bob". He attended the University of Washington and graduated with a B.S. degree in commercial engineering in 1935.
Prewar
Galer enlisted in the U.S. Navy (USN) and attended flight training at Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Seattle. In June 1936, he began his Aviation Cadet flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola FL, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, July 1, 1936. Designated a Naval Aviator in April 1937, he was transferred to the First Marine Brigade at Quantico VA, for duty with Aircraft One. In July of the same year he was assigned to a course of instruction at the Basic
School at Philadelphia PA. Following the completion of his studies in June
1938, he was ordered to the New York Navy Yard, but shortly thereafter was
transferred to St. Thomas., Virgin Islands assigned to Marine Scouting Squadron-3.
During July 1939 promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. In June 1940, Lieutenant Galer returned to the United States and during July
reported to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing in San Diego CA. In January 1941,
he was assigned to Ewa Airfield on Oahu was appointed a Captain in March
1941.
Wartime History
On December 7, 1941 during the Japanese attack, Galer was on Oahu. During May 1942, he became Commanding Officer (C.O.) of Marine Fighting Squadron 224 (VMF-224) operating F4F Wildcats. During August 1942 led the squadron from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
On September 11, 1942 took off piloting F4F Wildcat 02109 on a mission to intercept Japanese bombers and fighters north of Guadalcanal. He claimed one bomber and one Zero plus one probable bomber.
On October 2, 1942 took off piloting F4F Wildcat 02118 on a mission to intercept A6M2 Zeros on a fighter sweep over Guadalcanal. During the air combat, Galer claimed a Zero then a second Zero (in fact, none were damaged) but was hit "from wingtip to wingtip, through cockpit and engine, which quit" and a bullet knocked a rudder pedal away from his foot. Heavily damaged, Galer successfully ditched and was later rescued and returned to duty.
Aerial Victory Claims
Galer was officially credited with 13 aerial victories and 4 probable victories. His aerial victory claims include:
Medal of Honor
On March 24, 1943 Galer was bestowed the Medal of Honor by U.S. President President
Franklin D. Roosevelt at a White House ceremony.
Medal of Honor Citation (August 1942–September 1942)
 Citation: "For conspicuous heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty
as Leader of a Marine Fighting Squadron in aerial combat with enemy Japanese
forces in the Solomon Islands Area, August-September, 1942.
Leading his squadron repeatedly in daring and aggressive raids against Japanese
aerial forces, vastly superior in numbers, Major Galer availed himself of
every favorable attack opportunity, individually shooting down eleven
enemy bomber and fighter aircraft over a period of twenty-nine days. Though
suffering the extreme physical strain attendant upon protracted fighter operations
at an altitude above 25,000 feet, the squadron, under his zealous
and inspiring leadership, shot down a total of twenty-seven Japanese planes.
His superb airmanship, his outstanding skill and personal valor reflect
great credit upon Major Galer's gallant fighting spirit and upon the
United States Naval Services." |
Next, Major Galer was assigned to Marine Forces,
Air West Coast, Miramar, CA, where he served as assistant Operations Officer.
During November 1943, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel then ordered back to Hawaii and became Chief of
Staff Marine Air Hawaiian Area. In May 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Galer was
named as Operations Officer, Third Marine Aircraft Wing. He served as an observer
during the Falani Islands campaign while on temporary duty from the Third
Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW-3). His next assignment found him as Training Officer of
Provisional Air Support Command, Fleet Marine Force Pacific.
Colonel Avery Kier and Lieutenant Colonel Galer trained three LFASCU's and
shipped them out on three different ships as directed. Later Colonel Kier
and Colonel Galer joined Team 1 at Ulithi. On February 19, 1945 both Colonels landed on Iwo Jima and later witnessed the flag raising on Mount Surabachi. After 30 days, they were directed to catch an
airplane to the Philippines. They landed behind the lines and joined Team
2 coming ashore on D-Day. They went on into Manila where they set up Team
2. After 30 days, they were directed to return to Ulithi and join Team 3.
Team 3 went into Okinawa on D-Day. Colonels Kier and Galer participated in
three D-Days during these 65 days.
In June 1945, Lieutenant Colonel Galer again returned to the United States
and during July reported to the Marine Barracks Naval Air Training Base Corpus
Christi TX, as officer in charge of a cadet regiment until the end of World War II. Until August 1947, He remained at Corpus
Christi then assigned as a student at
the Armed forces Staff College in Norfolk VA. In June 1948, reported to
the Marine Aircraft Wing at the Marine Corps Air Station, CherryPoint
NC, where he served as Operations and Training Officer. He joined Headquarters
Squadron-2 at that station in April 1949, and was transferred April 26, 1950,
to the Naval Air Station San Diego CA. He served there as
Marine Planning Officer and, later as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans,
on the Staff of the Commander, Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and promoted to Colonel during March 1951.
Korean War
In March 1952, Colonel Galer departed for Korea and served as the Assistant
Chief of Staff, G-4 (Supply), of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW-1). In May 1952 named Commanding Officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12), 1st
Marine Aircraft Wing and for extraordinary achievement on July 11, 1952 earned the Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). According
to the citation accompanying this medal he "led
a maximum effort strike of Marine attack aircraft against a heavily defended
industrial area in the North Korean capitol city Pyongyang." Colonel
Galer
was also awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service
in
Korea from May 24, 1952 to August 5, 1952 when he was shot down behind enemy
lines
by anti-aircraft fire and was later rescued by helicopter.
Postwar
After a period of hospitalization, during October 1952 returned to duty at El Toro, CA as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 (Personnel) and later,
G-3
(Operations) of Aircraft Fleet Marine Force Pacific. He was enrolled as
a
student in the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery AL in
July 1953. Upon graduation from the college the following June, he was
transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington DC, where he became
Assistant Director, Guided Missiles Division, Bureau of Aeronautics,
Department of the Navy. He served in that capacity until January 1956
when
he became Acting Director. The following June he was awarded a Masters
degree in Engineering Administration from the George Washington
University, Washington DC. Galer's final assignment was as assistant director, Guided Missiles Division,
Bureau of Aeronautics, Department of the Navy in Washington, DC. On July 31, 1957 promoted to the rank of Brigadier
General upon retirement.
Awards
For his military service, Galer earned the Medal
of Honor, Navy Cross, Legion of Merit with Combat "V" device, Distinguished Flying
Cross (DFC) with one Gold Star, Air Medal with four Gold Stars, Purple Heart, Presidential
Unit Citation with one bronze star, American Defense Service Medal with Base
Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver star, American Campaign
Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean
Service Medal with two bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal, Distinguished
Flying Cross (British), and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Memorials
Galer passed away June 27, 2005 in Dallas
Texas. He is buried at Texas State Cemetery in Austin, TX at Monument Hill, Section 1, Row B, Number 13.
During November 2009, the privately funded University of Washington Medal of Honor memorial was unveiled honoring the eight UW alumni who earned the Medal of Honor: Gregory Boyington, Deming Bronson, Bruce Crandall, Robert E. Galer, John Hawk, Robert Leisy, William Nakamura, and Archie Van Winkle.
References
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - The Guadalcanal Campaign page 74 (VMF-224 Galer), 148 (photo), 189 (Appendix F: Marine Corps Aces - Robert Galer / Enemy Planes Shot Down 13)
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Modern Biographical Files in the Navy Department Library - Galer, Robert Edward
The Hall of Valor - Robert Edward Galer (MOH citation, Legion of Merit citation, DFC citations)
FindAGrave - Robert Edward Galer (photo, grave photos)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 74 (VMF-224), 287-288 (Galer Robert Edward)
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