John M. Gallagher was born on June 13, 1947, to Thomas and Mary Gallagher. His home of record is Elizabeth, NJ. He had two brothers, Thomas and William, and two sisters, Kathleen and Mary Ann. He attended Immaculate Conception School, Thomas Jefferson High School and Thomas A. Edison Vocational and Technical High School, all in Elizabeth, NJ.
Gallagher entered the US Marine Corps in January 1965. He attained the rank of Corporal (CPL). He was sent to Vietnam in April 1966. He completed a year’s tour of duty the following April, but volunteered to return in May for another eight months to be near his younger brother, William, who was with an airborne unit.
Gallagher was killed in action on September 14, 1967, near Quang Tri, Vietnam, by enemy artillery fire in a defensive position with the 3rd Marine Division. John’s brother, William, a paratrooper, was in the 67th Evacuation Hospital at Qui Nhon, recovering from wounds received when attempting to save a group of soldiers who had run out of ammunition, when John was killed.
He is buried in St. Gertrude Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ.
Information provided by Tom Gallagher (brother), Mary Ann Bala (sister) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
