Wally Gallant was born in Maine in 1925. He enlisted in October 1943 and took basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia in the Army Special Training Program (ASTP). On graduating he was assigned to the 94th Infantry Division in Camp McCain, Miss. He shipped overseas with M Company, 302 Inf Regt. and participated in all European campaigns of the 94th Inf Division, 3rd US Army during which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Bronze Stars for valor and one for meritorious service.

After leaving the active Army he married Laura Searway (June 47) and attended college in Maine. While attending he was commissioned a second Lieutenant in the Maine National Guard (1948) and subsequently attended the Basic Officer course at Fort Benning, GA. On graduating he received a direct commission in the Regular Army. Lieutenant Gallant remained at the US Army Infantry School for two and a half years as an instructor in both the Ranger and Staff Departments. Receiving orders to Korea, he attended the Infantry Officers Advanced course and then joined the 24th Infantry division in Korea as commander (F/21). Shortly before he was due to return to the United States (1945), Lt. Gallant was promoted to Captain and selected to be Aide de Camp to General Charles E.R. Hirsch, British Army, Deputy Chief of Staff for operations, The United Nations Command.

Captain Gallant remained as Aide de Camp for two and a half years after which he was assigned to Fort Lewis Washington as Commander of M/22, 4th Infantry Div. This assignment lasted only four months as Capt. Gallant was then assigned to G-3 Section HQ 6th US Army Presidio San Francisco. This assignment was interesting for its variety as he was directly involved in troop testing at Camp Desert Rock Nevada, where he participated in several nuclear tests as a DOD observer. Additionally, he was instrumental in establishing the Combat surveillance and target acquisition training command and formation of the 6th US Army's Marksmanship detachment. This latter organization was recognized as one of the premier training facilities in the US. During his tenure at 6th US Army, Capt. Gallant graduated from the Army's Nuclear Weapons Employment course at the Command and General Staff College.

In 1960, Capt. Gallant was assigned to the 25th Infantry Div. in Hawaii as commander of E/21. After four months he was reassigned as nuclear weapons plans Officer South East Asia Treaty Organization G-3 Section US Army, Hawaii. On promotion to major he was appointed Operations Officer of the 35th Infantry Battle Group. During some of this time, the 35th Infantry was deployed to Korat, Thailand where Major Gallant worked closely with Joint Task Force 116 resolving the coordination of close air support problems with the US Air Force. Additionally, he established a close working relationship with the Thailand Army and provided technical support and expertise in the building of new Thai Army training facilities. Major Gallant also planned and operated several joint training exercises with Vietnam working on enhancing close air support by improving communication between US Air Force and Republic of Vietnam Military Commands.

In January 1963, Major Gallant was assigned to HQ USCONARC. Ft. Monroe, VA. He was designated chief, Basic Combat training, Branch in the office of the Director of Individual training. This assignment lasted for three years during which Major Gallant was the principal staff officer responsible for the formulation and establishment of the US Army's Drill Sergeant Program as directed by the Secretary of the Army. He also directed the testing of the new training programs designed to better prepare the individual solider for combat in the Vietnam environment. To accomplish this he tasked the Army's Human resource research group to generate test programs and training exercises designed to encompass all facets of individual training. Special emphasis was given to psychological effects of continuous close combat on the infantryman and to the early identification of enemy targets in a hostile environment. A new Basic Combat Training Program resulted from his efforts.

In early 1966, Major Gallant completed the Civil Affairs course and was assigned to the IST US Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam as Deputy Chief of Civil Affairs. Shortly thereafter (June 66), he was promoted to Lt. Colonel and assigned to G-3 to HQ US Army Vietnam of Civil Affairs. Nine months later he was awarded a Legion of Merit and reassigned to HQ USCONARC at Ft. Monroe, VA. Col. Gallant was appointed chief of the Advanced Individual Training, Directorate of Individual training. He remained in this position for two years, choosing to retire from active service in October 1971 at the age of 46.

After retiring, Col. Gallant became involved in Offshore Yacht racing and Republican politics in the city of Hampton, VA. Shortly after joining the Hampton Yacht Club in 1972, he was elected to the board of directors. In 1976, he was elected Vice commodore and in 1978 was elected commodore. Concurrently he was elected vice commodore of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht racing association. This office was held for four years.

In 1979, Col. Gallant was appointed 1st US Congressional District Finance Chairmen for the upcoming presidential campaign of Ronald Regan. He served in this capacity for two years. After the election he continued to be active serving on the Republican City Committee in Hampton. He was elected delegate to the Republican State conventions in the years 1980-1989. Col. Gallant served as deputy parliamentarian for the State Convention held in Hampton. In 1982, Gallant was appointed by Hampton City Council to serve on a committee to study utilization of unused city property and real estate. Additionally, he completed a study of the communication system in Hampton. On his recommendations, City Council approving significant expenditures for the establishment of a new and fully revised city communications system. In 1991 Col. Gallant was recognized by the Exchange Club for his activities in Hampton. Since 1985, Col. Gallant has brought to this country European students for month-long visits for enhancing their knowledge of the US and to further their appreciation of our culture.

Col. Gallant's personal military decorations: Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Service Cross, two Bronze Star Medals for valor one Bronze Star for meritorious service, Purple Heart, two Legions of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, and eleven service medals with nine campaign stars.

Unit Awards: The Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Citation, Vietnam Presidential Citation.

Col. Gallant was a member of the Legion of Valor an organization charted by Congress to recognize those who have been awarded the following medals: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross. In September 2017 Mayor of Newport News, McKinley Price honored Col. Gallant for his membership in the Legion of Valor with a key to the city. His poster hangs in the lobby of city hall today.

LTC Gallant died on Saturday, November 18, 2017.He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rose Gallant, his first wife, Laura S. Gallant, four sisters, Irene, Thelma, Dorothy, and Eva; and a nephew, Dwayne Symbol. Two years ago he married his longtime caregiver, Rokia Sidibe Gallant. He is also survived by her daughter, Cheyenne Eklund; and his nephew, Michael Plympton and his wife, Susan.

The family will receive friends from 10-11AM Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home followed by a funeral service beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment with full Army honors will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Transitions Family Violence Services, P.O. Box 561, Hampton, VA 23669.