William Wylie Galt

Leading infantry through minefields and fortified positions.

Captain William Wylie Galt was a United States Army infantry officer whose courage during World War II earned him the Medal of Honor posthumously and the Silver Star. Fighting with the 168th Infantry Regiment of the 34th Infantry Division, he served through the North African and Italian campaigns before being killed in action at Villa Crocetta on 29 May 1944.

Born on 19 December 1919 in Geyser, Montana, Galt attended Montana State College and participated in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He entered active duty in June 1942 and joined the 168th Infantry in England that October. He subsequently participated in the Allied landings in North Africa and fought through the Tunisian campaign, where he gained experience commanding frontline infantrymen.

In Italy, Galt distinguished himself during the fighting near the Volturno River. On 4 November 1943, when mines blocked his battalion's advance, he voluntarily crawled forward to locate a safer route. His actions helped the battalion continue its attack while limiting casualties and earned him the Silver Star.

Galt assumed command of Company A on 18 December 1943 and was promoted to captain in January 1944. He was wounded by German mortar fire near the Rapido River later that month. Following treatment, he returned to duty and continued to serve during the Anzio campaign. His military record ultimately included three Purple Heart awards.

After a further hospitalization in April 1944, Galt became operations officer of the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry. On 29 May 1944, during the Allied advance toward Rome, his battalion struggled to capture German positions at Villa Crocetta. After observing repeated unsuccessful attacks, he voluntarily went forward and personally joined the assault.

Advancing with a tank destroyer and supporting infantry, Galt used a mounted machine gun against enemy positions while exposed to intense German fire. His intervention helped renew the attack, but enemy fire struck the vehicle and killed him. He was 24 years old.

For his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice, Galt received the Medal of Honor posthumously. The decoration was presented to his widow, Patricia, on 19 February 1945. His remains were later returned to Montana, where he was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Great Falls.

Galt's distinguished service reflects both the responsibilities of frontline command and the personal courage demonstrated by those who led soldiers into battle.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Galt, Battalion S-3, at a particularly critical period following two unsuccessful attacks by his battalion, of his own volition went forward and ascertained just how critical the situation was. He volunteered, at the risk of his life, personally to lead the battalion against the objective. When the lone remaining tank destroyer refused to go forward, Capt. Galt jumped on the tank destroyer and ordered it to precede the attack. As the tank destroyer moved forward, followed by a company of riflemen, Capt. Galt manned the .30-caliber machine gun in the turret of the tank destroyer, located and directed fire on an enemy 77-mm antitank gun, and destroyed it. Nearing the enemy positions, Capt. Galt stood fully exposed in the turret, ceaselessly firing his machine gun and tossing hand grenades into the enemy zigzag series of trenches despite the hail of sniper and machine-gun bullets ricocheting off the tank destroyer. As the tank destroyer moved, Capt. Galt so maneuvered it that 40 of the enemy were trapped in one trench. When they refused to surrender, Capt. Galt pressed the trigger of the machine gun and dispatched every one of them. A few minutes later an 88-mm shell struck the tank destroyer and Capt. Galt fell mortally wounded across his machine gun. He had personally killed 40 Germans and wounded many more. Capt. Galt pitted his judgment and superb courage against overwhelming odds, exemplifying the highest measure of devotion to his country and the finest traditions of the U.S. Army.