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Former Vietnam War POW visits Team Dover

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Ralph Galati, former Vietnam War POW and Air Force Officer, spoke with Team Dover personnel during a luncheon March 19, 2014, at the Air Mobility Command Museum, on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Galati, who was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa., joined the Air Force in 1970 during the Vietnam War. He was commissioned as a weapon systems officer, earned his wings in 1971 and worked his way to the role of forward air controller on the F-4 Phantom aircraft out of Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.

Two years later, while on a mission over North Vietnam, Galati and his pilot were shot down, captured and taken to the infamous Hanoi Hilton prisoner of war camp. He spent a year in captivity there.

"It was day after day of pure boredom interspersed with moments of terror," Galati said of his time spent as a POW. "Combined with that, the fear of the unknown was nerve racking."

Senior Airman Marjorie Brooks, 436th Force Support Squadron customer support journeyman, attended the luncheon and said she found it interesting to learn about how training helped Galati during his time as a POW.

"I have a really high respect for our veterans, I know the Vietnam veterans were very much underappreciated during their time," said Brooks. "I listened to him speak about his time as a POW and the importance of the training he received."

Galati said training can only do so much in helping you survive an ordeal like being a POW. He said being able to trust and rely on your buddy was most important to his survival.

"I really learned how important faith is, not only in God, but also faith and trust in your fellow soldier," said Galati. "I'm not joking when I say I was much braver with others, it's just much easier to resist and easier to be strong when you know your buddy has your back. The whole spirit of brotherhood, community, team work, and the importance of communication; you just can make it without it."

Galati said teamwork and strength were important, but he couldn't stress how much having a good mentor can lead you to greater paths.

"It was important to have the older guy to keep out of trouble," said Galati. "Learning from them and being a sponge to pick up on what they have learned and done made it easier for myself. Once you learn your strengths and weaknesses, you can look at your weaknesses and learn from them. You can become a better person. I had a lot of weaknesses that I had to learn from."

Maj. Joana Galati, 436th Medical Operations Squadron medical director of mental health and Galati's daughter-in-law, said he has a message that can help Team Dover.

"I am very proud to have him come here, especially while I am stationed here," said Maj. Galati. "I have known Ralph for 11 or 12 years, but his resiliency is pretty amazing given that he was a POW. I've met other people who have been POWs and their optimism is not quite the same. I am happy to be able to share him with the Airmen here."

Galati said he has spent the time since his captivity trying to help others reach their goals and to not place limits upon themselves. This has given him more of an appreciation of freedom.

"Don't accept your limits," said Galati. "I really think people are better than they think they are. It's okay to fail and to take risks. Until you really push yourself, you don't know how far you really can go."