Lieutenant Francis Waters Gallagher

Bronze Star / Silver Star

Francis Waters Gallagher was born to Peter and Josephine Gallagher at their Las Cruces home on Lohman Avenue. He was raised in Las Cruces and attended Cathedral HS in El Paso. From there he enrolled at NMAMC in 1934 and graduated in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts. Following school he served as the county N.Y.A Supervisor. In November 1941 he attempted to enlist as an aviation cadet. However, for some reason that failed and in January 1942 he was inducted into the Army as an Infantry Officer and sent to OCS. Following his commissioning in September 1942 he was assigned to B Troop, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. In February 1943 the 7th Cavalry dismounted. The following June the unit departed San Francisco for the Pacific. They participated in several campaigns leading up to the Leyte campaign to include the Bismarck Archipelago and the taking of Los Negros. On October 20, 1944 the invasion of Leyte occurred. By this time Lt Gallagher had assumed command of the 1st Squadron 7th Cavalry. On November 13, 1944, the 7th Cav faced entrenched Japanese positions on high ground across the Naguisan River as the drove to the southwest out of Balud. Lt Gallagher advanced on his own to reconnoiter enemy positions in an attempt to secure a route for his squadron. Encountering an enemy gun emplacement he advanced alone in an attempt to destroy it with hand grenades. Wounded by enemy machine gun fire he died shortly thereafter. For this act of gallantry he was awarded the Silver Star. Today he rests in the San Jose Cemetery in La Mesa NM. He was 28 years of age at the time of his death.