Westover honors a WWII POW: Retired Chief Master Sgt. Galligan

  • Published
  • By Andre Bowser
  • 439 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Memories from more than a half-century ago were revisited with stark clarity May 10, during an award presentation for retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Francis Galligan at the base conference center.

Chief Galligan was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medal for his service during World War II - marked by the further distinction of having survived the Bataan Death March and three and a half years as a prisoner of war at a series of Japanese camps.

"It's been too long a time in coming," said Chief Galligan of the awards. Standing before his family, many old friends, base leaders and distinguished visitors from the community, Chief Galligan said his breath was taken away.

"When I saw the auditorium all filled up--I was amazed," he said of the more than 150 people in attendance. "I was overwhelmed to get the medals today, and I was overwhelmed by the amount of people who showed up."

Chief Galligan worked at Westover for nearly 25 years before retiring from the 439th Operations Support Squadron in 1998. His story of sacrifice and service came to the attention of Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield) years later, which resulted in the award ceremony taking place.

On May 6, 1942, a then-21-year-old Francis Galligan was taken prisoner and led down a path of forced labor, mistreatment, malnutrition and perilous marches that would last until Sept. 12, 1945 - the day U.S. Army paratroopers would liberate the last of WWII prisoners, including Chief Galligan.

Over the years, veterans continued to fight to be awarded medals, such as the Purple Heart Chief Galligan received, for atrocities and injuries they suffered during imprisonment by the Japanese.

During the award ceremony, Chief Galligan reflected on the struggles he faced with the precision of memory that only comes from never forgetting.

"I still have dreams...nightmares...about what we went through --'til this day," he told the room of family, friends, and military members, including the wing vice commander Col. Patrick Cloutier, as well as other distinguished guests from the community.

Among the distinguished guests was Congressman Neal, whose office was instrumental in Chief Galligan receiving the award. Congressman Neal said family and friends of Chief Galligan had fought a long and steady fight to ensure that he received the honor.

"My role here today is to call to attention his heroism," Congressman Neal said as he and Chief Galligan stood before an array of service flags and the nation's flag. "There isn't any other place that I would rather be than here this morning."

The 89-year-old retired chief stood tall beside the congressman, dressed in the same Air Force uniform he retired in: the stripes on his arm reflective of the old design for the rank of chief master sergeant, with three rockers on the bottom and two on top.

Among the military members standing for Chief Galligan were current chiefs; the only difference between the uniformed men was sewn on their sleeves as today's chief rank has three rockers on the top instead of two.

With thunderous applauds surrounding him, the humble and soft-spoken retired chief embraced the honor as Congressman Neal pinned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star on his uniform.

For the moment, Chief Galligan said he felt transported back to 65 years earlier; he recalled the war, the prison camps and marches, and the friends he left behind. And he said his reason for surviving the more than 60-mile trudge with no food, water or adequate rest was simple: "I had a lot of people to get back home to."

The oldest of nine children, Chief Galligan said his life has always been about service to family and to country--and that's what got him home.

"You just have to have fortitude; you just have to say: I'm gonna beat these guys--damnit! I'm going to get home!"