LTC US Army (RET), Richard Joseph Gallant (“Dick”), of Burke, Virginia passed away on Friday September 3, 2021, after reaching the age of 93 years old. He died peacefully within his home in Burke Virginia with his beloved wife of 61 years Shirley, his children, and grandchildren by his side.

The son of Joseph and Mary Gallant, Richard was born on March 30, 1928, in West Newton, Massachusetts.  While attempting to enlist in the service during the Korean War he was subsequently drafted in August of 1950 at the age of 22 and attended basic training at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts and was assigned to the 40^th Infantry Division, Camp Cook, California for artillery training.

Upon completion in the spring of 1951, he was assigned to the leadership school at Fort Ord, California where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  He was reassigned to the 6th Infantry Division at Fort Ord and spent several months as a platoon sergeant.

In August of 1951 he was assigned to Artillery Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  Upon completion he was commissioned a second lieutenant.  He attended Jump Master Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia and then was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in early 1952.

He initially saw combat during the Korean Conflict with the 7th Infantry Division where he was wounded by enemy fire at Uijeongbu, Korea and served throughout 1953 as the Officer in Charge of the Fire Support Coordination Center at the battalion and regimental level and as the Officer in Charge of training artillery replacements.  He was wounded again on the famous Pork Chop Hill and cited for gallantry in action for helping to repel enemy action.  He was one of the few soldiers who survived the onslaught of an enemy counterattack during the epic battle in 1953. He subsequently returned stateside and was honorably discharged while staying in the reserves.

During the period of 1954-1957 he worked as an entrepreneur where he supervised the construction and profitable operation of a drive-in theater, amusement park and miniature golf course.  He also advised owners and operated hotels successfully (He loved to tell stories to his family about these fun days).

He returned to active duty in 1957 and was assigned to the artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a First Lieutenant and then assigned to Camp Polk, Louisiana, as a Provost Marshall with the Criminal Investigation Division and as a Confinement Officer in 1958.  He was also a Battery Executive Officer until 1969 with the 1st Armored Division Artillery.

He was subsequently transferred to Europe in 1960 with the 981st Field Artillery Battalion with a unit known as “The Atomic Cannon” until 1962 and was promoted to the rank of Captain.  In 1960, he met the love of his life while stationed in Germany, Shirley Rae Gallant (Swenson) and they were married 6 months after they met and have been happily married for 61 years.

He served as an Artillery Battery Commander in Fort Carson, Colorado until 1964 and was then reassigned to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma to a Pershing Missile Battalion until 1965.  He was later assigned to the Army Intelligence School at Fort Holabird, Maryland in 1966.  Afterward he was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam as a Major and served as the G-2 (Intelligence) in the 24th Special tactical Zone aiding in the combat operations in the Pleiku, Kontum and Tri-border area.

Upon completion of this assignment, he was transferred to the Institute of Combined Arms and Support at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and subsequently to the Command and General Staff College.

From 1967 to 1970 he was assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.  He was then assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the special operations group Combined Development Command from 1971-1972.

He was then assigned to the Combat Development Command at Fort Belvoir in 1972 and was reassigned as the Officer in Charge of the Base Club System until he retired December 1, 1974. 

His personnel decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Custer, Army Commendation Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Custer, Silver Star, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart w/1 Oak Leaf Custer, Presidential Unit Emblem, National Defense Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Custer, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device 60, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Silver Star, United Nations Service Medal, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.  He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Parachutist Badge.  Lieutenant Colonel Gallant, U.S. Army Retired, served over 24 years active and reserve.

Upon retirement he became the National Service Director of the Military Order of the Purple Heart located in Springfield, Virginia from 1979-1988.  He became the seconded Executive Director of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation in 1988 and continued to serve in that office until his retirement in 2007.  He has met with and advised every President of the United States as well as countless congressmen and senators over his 19 years with the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  Through his service and leadership, he aided thousands of Veterans/Patriots across the United States and led the foundation in raising over 100 million dollars for the veterans’ programs of the Purple Heart.

After his final retirement in 2007, he remained in Burke, Virginia devoting all his time to his family.  He was a devoted husband to Shirley, caring and loving father, grandfather, father-in law, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many including all the veteran’s he helped over the years, most of all he was a proud Patriot of the United States. Family was the most important thing in his life, he was completely devoted to his wife Shirley, supported, and attended his children and grandchildren activities, provided inspirational, motivational advice and guidance to all in helping them achieve their life goals. 

He loved cigars, watching old western and military movies, and political news was his favorite past time.  He loved to coach, play, and watch his children and grandchildren play sports.  He loved being with his family and enjoyed family dinners and vacations and was always up for reunion or gathering with family and friends.  He was a strong patriarch of his family, a good friend to all, a man who would give his shirt for family or a friend.  A man who never cared much about himself and who even in his final days would say to his loved ones, “just to take care of your mother “Shirley” when I’m gone”.  He was a strong, proud, patriot and a good man. He is loved and will be missed by many!

Richard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Rae Gallant, 4 children, Catherine “Gigi” Swartz, James Elmore Gallant (Donna), Stephen Richard Gallant (Raeleen), and David Joseph Gallant (Alex); 7 grandchildren; Chase Kellen Gallant, Lexi Rae Swartz, Dylan James Swartz, Austin James Gallant, Chandler Carra Gallant, Carson Richard Gallant, and Camden Joseph Gallant; His beloved sister Margie (Gallant) Duffy; and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other beloved friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary Gallant, and sister Mildred (Gallant) Duff.

 His final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery with full Military Honors that will include a Funeral Service at the Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, VA on April 18, 2022 at 12:45 PM.

In Lieu of flowers please send contributions to Fishers House – Helping Military Families https://connect.fisherhouse.org/campaign/In-Memory-of-Richard-J–Gallant