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thedrifter
07-01-05, 06:16 AM
July 1, 2005
Robert E. Galer, 92, Marine Fighter Ace, Dies
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS, June 30 (AP) - Brig. Gen. Robert E. Galer, an All-American basketball player who was awarded a Medal of Honor as a World War II Marine fighter ace in the South Pacific, died here on Monday. He was 91.

The cause was a stroke, his family said.

As a major, he shot down 11 enemy planes in 29 days while leading an aerial combat squadron at Guadalcanal.

General Galer also received the Navy Cross, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V," the Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold star, a Purple Heart, an Air Medal with 10 gold stars and the British Distinguished Flying Cross.

General Galer was a native of Seattle and became an All-American basketball player at the University of Washington. He was a member of the university's Husky Hall of Fame and the N.C.A.A. Hall of Fame. He joined the Marines as a naval aviator the same month he received his bachelor's degree in commercial engineering, in 1935.

General Galer retired from the Marines in 1957 after 21 years. He later worked at the LTV Corporation and in real estate in Dallas.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; three sons, Robert Tipton Galer, Vincent Hall Galer and Charles Keller; a daughter, Christine Brooks; a brother, Fred Galer; and six grandchildren.


Ellie

Rest In Peace, Sir!