Fireman First Class John C. Gallo

John Gallo was born in Poughkeepsie, NY in 1925 and lived there for the remainder of his life after returning from the war.  At the age of 18, he was drafted into the war where he was assigned to the 123rd Naval Construction Battalion "Seabees" as a Seaman (Fireman).  Firemen are divided into two classes, namely: firemen, second class and firemen, first class.  They are non-rated men who perform the minor maintenance duties in the engine and fire room spaces of the engineering department aboard ship.  While performing duties as firemen, they study and strike (serve apprenticeship) for one of the petty officer ratings in the engine room force.  The FIREMAN, First Class, works under the close supervision of petty officers in the engine room and were responsible for assisting them in operating, maintaining and repairing fire and engine room machinery.  Gallo was stationed in Oahu, Midway Island, and Samar.  He served on numerous ships including the Attack Transport U.S.S. Crockett (APA-148) and the Attack Transport U.S.S. Hendry (APA-118).  Gallo was the recipient of the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Medal.

APA stands for: Auxiliary fleet, Personnel complement, Attack force and was the naval designation for an attack transport -- a naval ship which carried various types of landing craft and was used to transport marine, army and navy assault personnel and equipment to the point of attack in amphibious combat operations and launch them against enemy-held shores in those craft.

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