Navy pilot to share his experiences as a POW on Sept. 5 at Freedom Museum

On Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 PM, Retired Navy CDR Paul Galanti will speak about his experiences as a Prisoner of War (POW) during the Vietnam War.  Galanti flew 97 combat missions in his A-4C Skyhawk before being shot down and captured on June 17, 1966.  He remained a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese for nearly seven years and was released on February 12, 1973.

CDR Galanti was raised in a service family in many states, Japan, France, Turkey, and Germany.  He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1962 and immediately entered Navy jet flight training.  In November 1964, he was assigned to Navy Light Jet Attack Squadron 216 (VA-216) based aboard the carrier, USS Hancock, which departed one year later for Vietnam waters.

After his release and recuperation from POW status, he was assigned to the Navy Recruiting District; Richmond, VA, obtained a Master of Commerce degree, and then became the Commanding Officer of that same Recruiting District.  Later, he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy until he retired. 

After retiring, he held several civilian executive positions and was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.  In 2010, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell appointed CDR Galanti as the Commissioner of Veterans Services for the Commonwealth of Virginia and later to the Board of Governors to the Virginia Military Institute. 

He is currently active in the Families of the Wounded Fund.  CDR Galanti’s military decorations include the Silver Star, Two Legions of Merit for combat, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Bronze Star for combat,

The Freedom Museum is located in the Terminal Building at the Manassas Regional Airport, 10600 Harry Parrish Blvd, Manassas, VA 20110.  The event is from 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM.  Admission is free and light refreshments will be available.  For directions and further information, visit http://www.freedommuseum.org .