Capt. McGalliard

Captain Gene R. McGalliard

Captain Gene McGalliard, a native of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics from Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken, New Jersey in 1971. He was commissioned from OCS at Newport, RI in November 1971.
 
Captain McGalliard's early career included assignments in the Yokosuka, Japan-based USS Westchester County (LST 1167) as Damage Control Assistant; the Guam-based USS Inflict (MSO 456) and the Virginia-based USS Sumter (LST 1181) as Chief Engineer.

In 1976 Captain McGalliard was assigned ashore as Flag Aide to Commander, Naval Telecommunications Command in Washington, DC where he also earned a Master's degree in Telecommunications. This tour was followed by instruction at the Surface Warfare Officers Department Head Course in Newport, RI.

Captain McGalliard returned to sea in 1979 as Chief Engineer of the New Jersey-based USS Fiske (DD 842). During this tour, the Fiske was turned over to the Naval Forces of Turkey and Captain McGalliard served as liaison officer to the Turkish Navy for a period of two months. On completion of the liaison duties, Captain McGalliard was assigned as Chief Engineer in the San Diego-based USS Halsey (CG 23).

In 1982, Captain McGalliard attended the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California where he received a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He returned to sea in 1984 as Executive officer of the San Diego-based USS Bristol County (LST 1198), followed by assignment was as Assistant Chief of Staff for Material and Logistics, Captain, Cruiser-Destroyer Squadron Three. During this tour he participated in Operation Praying Mantis, conducted on 18 April 1988 against Iranian forces in the Arabian Gulf.

Prior to assuming Command of the USS Waddell (DDG 24), Captain McGalliard served two years in Washington at the Headquarters Battalion of the U.S. Marine Corps as the Naval Advisor to the Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps.

While in command of the USS Waddell (DDG 24), from May of 1991 until October of 1992, Captain McGalliard successfully completed a three moth PACTRAMID deployment, a three-month counter narcotics deployment, and OPPE while deployed, SMA (qualifying for the Blue "E"), INSURV, CSA, and TRE.

After the decommissioning of the USS Waddell (DDG 24), transfer of the ship to the Greek Navy, and ship’s commissioning in the Greek Navy as the HS Nearchos (DD 219), Captain McGalliard acted as the liaison officer to the Greek Navy during this ship’s rebuild in San Diego.

Captain McGalliard's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, and four Battle Excellence awards for ship's assignment since 1980.

Captain Gene R. McGalliard passed away in June of 1996 and is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack R. McGalliard of Lake San Marcos, California.