We were honored to host Ralph Galati, a Philadelphia native, graduate of both St. James High School (Chester, PA) and St. Joseph's University, US Air Force Pilot and Vietnam Prisoner of War speak to our members this morning.
Upon granduating from Air Force ROTC, Ralph attended Flight Training in 1970 and received his wings in 1971. He was a Weapnos Systems Officer in the F-4 Phantom aicraft and assigned in Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in the fall of that year. He qualified as a Laser Guided Bomb lead and was soon elevated to the role of Forward Air Controller.
On February 16, 1972, during his first mission over North Vietnam, he and his pilot were shot-down, immediately captuerd and taken to Hanoi. He spent the next 14 months as a Prisoner of War, inlcuding a stint at the infamous Hanoi Hilton.
Then Lieutenant Galati was repatriated on March 28, 1973. He subsequently served as a Flight Instructor, Curriculum Developer and at the Pentagon with the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Legislative Liason. His military awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Purple Heart.
After a subsequent 28 year career with IBM, he began a new relationship with his alma matter and is presently serving as the Director of Veterans Services at St. Joseph's.
His story was inspiring and shed insights into the physical and mental challenges POWs faced during the Vietnam War. Ralph's continuing commitment to veterans and veterans causes are very much in sync with many of the causes the Club has and continues to support.