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Always Remembering the Sacrifice: The Story of Second Lieutenant James Galliher
Perched high in the sky on January 31, 1944, Second Lieutenant James Galliher was positioned at the front of his B-24 Liberator aircraft, heading toward Udine, Italy. As a 27-year-old serving the 717th Bomb Squadron of the 449th Bombardment Group, his assignment was the German airbase at Aviano.
USAAF’s Bombing Campaign Over Europe
This mission was part of the United States Army Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign over Europe, which initiated in 1943. Although it was starting to show positive results, it came with a severe price. At the end of World War II, around 88,000 American airmen were reported lost, a shockingly high casualty figure.
The previously peaceful skies over Aviano quickly transformed into a battleground as German anti-aircraft artillery began firing at the 717th Bomb Squadron’s formation. This became the grim norm of the bombing campaign as the USAAF was losing increasing numbers of crews to enemy fire. The assault on Aviano was unfortunately the same.
The Fateful Raid on Aviano
Galliher’s aircraft, the Lurchin Urchin, discharged nearly three tons of munitions on the target, hitting German aircraft hangers and structures. Flying the formation’s lead and carrying the unit’s commander, Colonel Darr H. Alkire, the crew then embarked on their return journey. But, it again turned calamitous as flak-filled dark clouds reappeared. The Lurchin Urchin was hit in its front and entered an uncontrollable steep drop. Nine out of the 11 men on the B-24 Liberator managed to parachute down, but sadly, Lieutenant Galliher was not among them.
A Family’s Discovery
In the course of arranging various memorabilia in my mother’s attic, my family and I uncovered a photograph of Uncle James during the war. Thanks to my aunt, who instantly recognized him, we were compelled to delve deeper into his story, determined that it, like those of numerous others who died in service of our nation, should be told.
The Aftermath
Among the surviving crew members, who were captured and endured the war, Galliher was initially reported as Missing in Action. As often occurred with American bomber crews who were lost during WWII, there was no definitive way of knowing whether he had indeed been killed. This uncertainty left both his comrades and his family back home in a state of significant distress.
Not until April 1945 was Uncle James officially declared as Killed in Action. A local newspaper article of the time narrated how his mother, Margaret, received his posthumous Purple Heart, and a mass was conducted in his honor at his local parish.
Memorial Day: A Time to Remember
On Memorial Day, we must make it our priority as Americans to never let our fallen heroes be forgotten. This includes not only visiting their grave sites and places of remembrance but ensuring that their stories live on. Oral history is said to be lost within three generations, which is too often the case for family history as well. Thus, it’s crucial to share stories of family members who have served or paid the ultimate price for freedom. Remembering them is our responsibility, as Memorial Day is not just the unofficial commencement of summer, but a day for reflection and homage to those who paved the way for us.
Preserving the Legacy
There could be no better exemplars of a model citizen than my Uncle, Second Lieutenant James Galliher, and the millions of others who stood up for our nation. Honoring our fallen by upholding the principles of the Republic they died protecting is essential. An informed and involved citizenry is crucial to preserving a thriving and free America, and that begins by understanding both our family and national history. We owe it to those whose sacrifice has been immeasurable, and they deserve to be remembered, always.
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