Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day, and instead of a scrapbook today we will be looking at a photo of Gary Gallagher who earned a Navy Cross from his service in Vietnam. The Vietnam war lasted from November 1955 until April 1975, with California having 5,575 out of the total 58,281 American casualties. Gallagher was ranked Yeoman Third Class, one of the oldest rankings in the USN, earning his cross from action in the Mekong Delta region, October 10–11, 1968. His Navy Cross, however, was not awarded posthumously. Coronado has a rich history with the United States Military, being home to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado (NAB Coronado), which was the site of one of the two first Navy SEAL teams in the United States. NSWC or “WARCOM” was established in 1987 here in Coronado, with the leadership of Navy Special Operations force and the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Today we honor everyone who gave their time or their lives during the Vietnam War.
