William Wylie Galt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Geyser, Judith Basin County, Montana, US
Villa Crocetta, Italy
William Wylie Galt | |
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| Born | December 19, 1919 Geyser, Judith Basin County, Montana, US |
| Died | May 29, 1944 (aged 24) Villa Crocetta, Italy |
| Place of burial | Mount Olivet Cemetery, Great Falls, Montana |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942 – 1944 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor, Silver Star |
William Wylie Galt (December 19, 1919 – May 29, 1944) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.
Galt was a native of Geyser in Judith Basin County, Montana. After serving in ROTC at Montana State College, now Montana State University, he joined the Army from Stanford, Montana in June 1942. He married Patricia Ann Sandbo on July 24, 1942.
He was wounded while serving in North Africa in 1943 and again at Monte Cassino on January 27, 1944. It only kept him sidelined for a three weeks. In March his unit was sent to Anzio. By May 29, 1944 was serving as a captain and operations officer (S3) of the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. On that day, at Villa Crocetta, Italy, he personally commanded an attack against German positions. He manned a machine gun on a tank destroyer at the front of the assault force, staying at his post in the vehicle's turret and continuing to lead his men despite intense hostile fire. He was killed while still manning his machine gun and, on February 1, 1945, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Galt, aged 24 at his death, was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Great Falls, Montana.[1]
