I enlisted in the Marine Corps when I was 17 years old in May 1966. I attended recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, 3rd  Battalion, Platoon 3014.

After graduation from boot camp and ITR training in August 1966, I was  assigned to H&S CO. 81mm mortar platoon, 1st Bn. 8th Marines. In  Jan  1967, 1/8 deployed to Gitmo Bay, Cuba for security duty. We  remained at Gitmo until May 7, 1967, (which was my 18th birthday) when  almost all of us received orders to go West Pac.

I arrived "in  country" in July 1967, and was assigned to 1/5, 81mm mortars while we  were at Hill 51. I remained with 81's until Sept when I was assigned  to Alpha CO. as the 81 F.O. I stayed with Alpha as the FO until I was  wounded on 2 Feb 68.

At the end of March 68 I returned to 1/5 and was  assigned to 81's as a section leader. Later after 81's became a rifle company for operations, I was a squad leader. I rotated in Aug 68,and  after leave was assigned to 81's, 1Bn. 6th Marines.

I was separated  from active duty on 10 March 1969 (60 days early). After my release from  active duty I became a Police Officer with the New York City Police Dept. I remained with the NYPD until 1977 when I became a State Trooper with the New York State Police.

I was a uniformed trooper for  5 years when I was promoted to Criminal Investigator with the State Police. In 1986 I was promoted to Sgt/Criminal Investigator.

During  my 24 years with the State Police I was a member of the Underwater  recovery team, a firearms instructor, and a rifle sharpshooter. I  retired in Aug 2000.

I am married and have four boys, Raymomd, Terry, Ryan and Patrick.

To all of you who I served with: You are always in my thoughts, I  remember your bravery and dedication to duty under extreme conditions.  I have never had such close personnal relationships as I had with my  brother Marines. They call our fathers generation "The Greatest  Generation" I believe we can stand next to them as "The Greatest  Generation II"

Semper Fi,

Ray Gallagher