Joseph A. Gallo, Jr.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 8 May 1968, First Lieutenant Joseph A. Gallo, Jr. was serving with Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, 1LT Gallo was platoon leader of an armor unit fighting against the communist Tet Offensive on Tan Son Nhut Air Base. His unit was directed to assist in repelling an enemy force that was trying to overrun the base. As it arrived in the battle area, 1LT Gallo's armored vehicle was attacked by intense automatic weapons, rocket and antitank fire. Exposing himself to the insurgent's fire, he led his men through a mass of Viet Cong to establish blocking positions that would prevent the enemy force's withdrawal. 1LT Gallo saw several enemy soldiers escaping to his rear and positioned elements of his platoon in a location to seal off the escape route. He then called gunships to bring fire on the enemy and continued directing the actions of his men until he was seriously wounded and lost consciousness. As a result of his efforts, 130 Viet Cong were killed. 1LT Gallo's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Joseph A. Gallo, Jr. (ASN: 0-5023445), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop B, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Gallo distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as a platoon leader of an armor unit fighting against the communist Tet Offensive on Tan Son Nhut Air Base. His unit was directed to assist in repelling a fanatical enemy force which was attempting to overrun the base. Lieutenant Gallo's armored vehicle was immediately attacked by intense automatic weapons, rocket and antitank fire as it arrived in the battle area. Courageously exposing himself to the insurgent's fire, he led his men through a human wave of Viet Cong to establish blocking positions which would prevent the enemy force's withdrawal. Lieutenant Gallo observed several enemy soldiers escaping to his rear, and he positioned additional elements of his platoon in a location to seal off that escape route. He then called gunships to bring fire on the enemy and continued to direct the actions of his men until he was seriously wounded and lost consciousness. As a result of his efforts, one hundred and thirty Viet Cong were killed. First Lieutenant Gallo's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3363 (July 15, 1968)

Death and Burial

First Lieutenant Joseph A. Gallo, Jr. died on 9 June 1997. He is buried at Saint Ann Cemetery in Cranston, Providence County, RI, in Section 33, Lot 1145, Grave 2.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=140033614