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First Name
Ralph
Middle Name
W.
Last Name
Galati
Birthdate
Hometown
Darby, PA
Rank
Captain
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Ralph Galati was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate through the Air Force ROTC program at St. Joseph's College on May 24, 1970, and completed Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather AFB, California, in March 1971. Lieutenant Galati next completed F-4 Phantom II Weapon Systems Officer Combat Crew Training at George AFB, California, before deploying to Southeast Asia in November 1971. He served as a Laser Guided Bomb Lead and Forward Air Controller with the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from November 1971 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on February 16, 1972.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
Captain Galati was released during “Operation Homecoming” on March 28, 1973. After hospitalization, Captain Galati served as an Instructor Navigator and Curriculum Manager for Undergraduate Navigator Training with the 451st Flying Training Squadron at Mather AFB, California, from June 1973 to May 1977. His next assignment was as an ASTRA Officer in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force in the Office of Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon, before going into the Air Force Reserve in July 1978. Captain Galati served in the reserves flying as a Navigator on C-141 Starlifters in the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing at McGuire AFB, New Jersey, until he left the service in May 1980. Ralph was hired by IBM in 1979 and retired in 2007. He and his wife Rosemary have two children.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star
- Bronze Star (2)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release