FEW MEN SO truly lived the West Point motto of Duty, Honor, Country as did Dave Galas. He was a man of strong moral character, unfailing loyalty to coun¬try and family, and untiring dedication to excellence in every endeavor.
David Emanuel Galas was born in Evanston. Illinois, on 19 October 1919 to Emanuel and Leota Galas, the eldest of five children. Soon thereafter the family moved to Oakdale, California. Dave acquired a strong work ethic from his parents, as well as an unassailable faith in his religious beliefs and in the importance of family. These qualities guided him unfailingly throughout his life, and served him well on more than one occasion when faced with adversity.
Dave aspired to become a military piiot so he enlisted in the Army Air Corps shortly after graduation from high school and trained as an aircraft mechanic at Hamilton Field near San Francisco. The steady march of events that were to engulf the United States in World War II soon affected Dave, as his unit was transferred to Hickam Field. Hawaii. Dave served as an enlisted flight engineer-gunner on a Douglas. B-18 bomber, then the Air Corps primary heavy bomber. This experience on motivated his ambitions that he aggressively pursued and achieved entrance to the West Point Preparatory School, from which he earned a Regular Army appoint¬ment with the class that was to become June '43. Dave's dream was becoming a reality.
At West Point Dave took academics and military training in easy stride. The Howitzer says of him. "He was quietly efficient in everything he did," and so earned the respect of his classmates. When the class was authorized to undertake flight training while still at West Point. Dave eagerly accepted the opportunity and successfully completed the course. Graduation was a memorable day: General "Hap" Arnold pinned on his wings in the morning, and Dave married his sweetheart. Kay Filan. that afternoon. Kay was a lively and attractive young lady who was to have a profound effect on his life. It was a long and close marriage that bore two sons and three daughters.
Following graduation from West Point. Dave was sent to transition and combat training in the B-17 Flying Fortress. His expertise in handling the "big bird" led to his assignment as a flight instructor until September 1944. when he was transferred to the 379th Bomb Group. Eighth Air Force, based in England. Dave flew 30 combat missions over Germany, earning the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
Upon return to the United States, Dave was sent to Davis Monthan, Arizona for transition to the B-29 Super Fortress in preparation for further combat duty in the Pacific Theater. An early end to the war abruptly ended his training, and Dave refocused his career plans, becoming a specialist in special weapons management. To expand his academic background for this field, Dave obtained a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He then served in this critical and highly technical specialty at Sandia Base. New Mexico, and then at Headquarters, Third Air Force. England.
From England Dave was assigned to West Point as an instructor and assistant professor in the Department of Physics, after which he moved to Wright Patterson Field as Chief of the Electrical Branch in the Equipment Laboratory.
Dave attended the Air War College and then was assigned to joint duty with the Defense Atomic Support Agency in Washington, DC. His next duty was with the Federal Aviation Administration in the Supersonic Transport Program. Dave also completed graduate studies at Georgetown University, receiving a master's degree in Political Science (International Affairs).
In 1967 Dave was assigned to the Air Force Contract Management Division as the Air Force Plant Representative at the Hawthorne. California, facility of Northrop Corporation, where he served until his retirement in August of 1969. In the course of his peacetime assignments Dave was twice awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.
After retirement, Dave remained in Southern California and worked in the aerospace industry as a reliability and safety engineer, eventually becoming an expert consultant in the latter field. He never gave up flying. As part owner of a private aircraft, he flew constantly and acted as chief inspector for his ownership group. His flying skills never seemed to fade, and his colleagues acknowledged him as the best among peers. He served briefly with the Civil Air Patrol, leading several search and rescue missions even though he was well into his sixties. He maintained an active role in his church, served as an aide in the local hospital, and worked in local politics. He was never idle.
Dave and Kay were both diagnosed with cancer at nearly the same time. Tragically for Dave, Kay died in July 1992. which left a painful void in his life. His religion carried him through his grievous loss, as it had done earlier when his young¬est daughter was killed in an automobile accident. Dave’s illness was prolonged and increasingly painful. He endured with customary courage and optimism until his death on 3 December 1993. Both he and Kay are interred at West Point.
Dave is survived by his two sons and two of his daughters, each of whom had achieved distinctive success in their individual pursuits, as well as a younger brother and sister. His life was clearly that of the quintessential West Pointer, of whom it can be rightly said. "Well done!"