W. Earl Gallaher Papers

Wilmer Earl Gallaher (May 9, 1907 – February 4, 1983) was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1931. Outside of the Academy, Gallaher was a Surface Warfare Officer aboard the USS Arizona and USS Barney. In 1934, Gallaher earned his pilot wings and would fly off the USS Langley and USS Ranger. During World War II, Gallaher held the position of Lieutenant Commander and served as the Commanding Officer of Scouting Squadron 6, a dive-bombing unit, aboard the USS Enterprise.

During the war, Gallaher fought at Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Wake Island and participated in the frequent bombings of Marcus Island. During the Battle of Midway, Gallaher participated in bombing Japanese carriers, Kaga and Hiryu, and earned the Navy Cross for his combat leadership. Following the Battle of Midway, Gallaher served on the staff of the Commander of the Naval Forces Far East with the USS Kenneth Whiting. Gallaher would remain in the U.S. Navy following World War II and served in the Korean War as the Skipper on the USS Princeton, earning the Legion of Merit. In 1959, Gallaher retired from the Navy as a Rear Admiral.