VMF-224 Scrap Book
VMF-224 Squadron Member
Robert E. Galer
Robert E. Galer, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Galer, was born October 23, 1913 at Seattle, Washington.
Robert became an All-American basketball player at the University of Washington. He was a member of the the Husky Hall of Fame and the N.C.A.A. Hall of Fame. While at the university Robert studied naval science for four years in the N.R.O.T.C. and graduated in 1935 with a bachelor of science in commercial engineering.
After completing elimination flight training at the Naval Reserve Aviation Base at Seattle, Washington, and aviation cadet training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, Robert was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps on July 1, 1936. He was designated a naval aviator on April 13, 1937.
A survivor of the the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and after duty with VMF-111, Robert became the first Commanding Officer of VMF-224 in May of 1942. VMF-224 arrived at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, on August 30, 1942 and remained there as part of the "Cactus Air Force'" until late October 1942. During that period the squadron's pilots shot down 60 1/2 enemy aircraft and was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. Major Galer accounted for 13 aircraft shot down and was the recipient of several awards including the the British Distinguished Flying Cross and the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Robert would hold many positions during his Marine Corps career including Operations Officer for Marine Forces, Air West Coast, Chief of Staff for Marine Air Hawaiian Area, Operations Officer for the Third Marine Aircraft Wing, Commanding Officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12 - 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Assistant Director of the Guided Missiles Division, Bureau of Aeronautics, Department of the Navy. Robert retired on July 31, 1957 at the rank of Brigadier General. During his combat tours he was shot down three times during WW II and once in Korea. Medals and decorations included the Medal of Honor, Legion of Merit with Combat "V", Distinguished Flying Cross with one Gold Star, Air Medal with four Gold Stars, Purple heart, Distinguished Flying Cross (British), and the United Nations Service Medal.
After retiring from the military, Robert worked as an engineer employed at Ling-Temco-Vought Corporation and later in real estate in the Dallas area. He was a member of the Medal of Honor Society, Legion of Valor, American Fighter Aces, Golden Eagles, and Former Commander Marine Corps Aviation Association.
Robert E. Galer, age 91, who often referred to himself as simply "the luckiest old Marine around," died on June 27, 2005 at Dallas, Texas.
Robert E. Galer
May 1942 through December 1943
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