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Navy Federal Credit Union
Paul
Edward
Galanti
POW (RVN)
July 11, 1939

–

Paul Galanti graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1962. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on June 17, 1966, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973. He retired in 1982 as a U.S. Navy Commander

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June 17, 1966 – February 12, 1973

    Lieutenant Commander Paul Edward Galanti (NSN: 0-659047/1310), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 17, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June 17, 1966 – February 12, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Paul Edward Galanti (NSN: 0-659047/1310), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 17 June 1966 to 12 February 1973. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    December 26, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Paul Edward Galanti (NSN: 0-659047/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 26 December 1966. Lieutenant Commander Galanti’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Lieutenant Commander Galanti reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June 17, 1966 – February 12, 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Paul Edward Galanti (NSN: 0-659047/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 17 June 1966 to 12 February 1973. Under the most adverse conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he serves as both an educator and an entertainer to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Commander Paul Edward Galanti (NSN: 0-659047/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Commander Galanti culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.