Delaware’s Forgotten World War II Hero: Wilmer Earl Gallaher at Midway – Part II Biographical Information and Early Naval Career
II. Biographical Information and Early Naval Career
Wilmer Earl Gallaher was born in Wilmington, Delaware on 9 May 1907 (Figure 1)1. His parents were Albert Gallaher, age 32, and Julia Carr, age 24, living at the time at 846 Kirkwood Street, on the city’s east side. He was the only boy among three sisters: Virginia, 2 years older; Sarah, 1 year younger; and Elizabeth, 3 years younger.2. Albert was a carpenter and later a millwright working in the chemical industry2. By 1910, they had moved to 219 Franklin Street and by 1920, they were at 405 W. 31 Street, all in Wilmington.
Gallaher went to Schools 23 and 24 and Wilmington High School. According to Bill Frank, long-time feature columnist for the Wilmington News Journal and its predecessors, he dropped out in his junior year of 19243 (Appendix 1). He enlisted in the Navy 23 February 1926 and was trained at Newport, Rhode Island and at the Radio School at Hampton Roads, Virginia. He had to go back to high school when he learned of the requirements for the US Naval Academy. He took the entrance exams in April 1927 and was accepted to the Academy in May. His parents were living in the Richardson Park section of Wilmington by then and the neighborhood was thrilled to hear the news4. at 405 W. 31 Street, all in Wilmington.
He must have been quite the ladies’ man based on his Academy nickname of “Lovey”5 (Figure 2). The Gym Team was a major interest. In fact, “Dusty” Kleiss, later to be in his squadron, said that he nearly won a spot on the 1928 US Olympic Team.6 He graduated in the class of 1931.
Gallaher went to Schools 23 and 24 and Wilmington High School. According to Bill Frank, long-time feature columnist for the Wilmington News Journal and its predecessors, he dropped out in his junior year of 19243 (Appendix 1). He enlisted in the Navy 23 February 1926 and was trained at Newport, Rhode Island and at the Radio School at Hampton Roads, Virginia. He had to go back to high school when he learned of the requirements for the US Naval Academy. He took the entrance exams in April 1927 and was accepted to the Academy in May. His parents were living in the Richardson Park section of Wilmington by then and the neighborhood was thrilled to hear the news4.
He must have been quite the ladies’ man based on his Academy nickname of “Lovey”5 (Figure 2). The Gym Team was a major interest. In fact, “Dusty” Kleiss, later to be in his squadron, said that he nearly won a spot on the 1928 US Olympic Team.6 He graduated in the class of 1931.
Upon joining the fleet, Gallaher served on the ill-fated battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) and destroyer USS Barney (DD-149) before entering Pensacola for flight training in 1933.7 After receiving his wings in 1935, he served on both the USS Langley (CV-1), the first American aircraft carrier, and the USS Ranger (CV-4).7
He married Annette Woods 31 October 1934 in Pensacola8 and had one son with her, William A. Gallaher, born in 1939. He also had a daughter, Florence Ann Gallaher, born in 1930 and thus, probably from a previous relationship of Annette’s. The Gallahers divorced 22 December 1955 while he lived in Alexandria, Virginia.9