Gene Galassini

Chief Petty Officer Gene Galassini

Born: 29 July 1923, Koehler Colfax, New Mexico, USA

Death: 14 February 1985, El Paso, Texas, USA

US Navy | World War II

Burial Site: FBNC Section A, Row F, Site 32

Awards

American Area and Presidential Unit Citation | Asiatic Pacific | European Theatre of Operations – One bronze star | Good Conduct

Gene Galassini, the son of John Galassini and Gaelanae Donati[i], served as a Navy Machinist’s Mate and achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer, dedicating forty-four months to duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. His service included time on the USS POPE (DE 134), a destroyer escort stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, providing vital protection against submarine and air threats for Navy vessels and convoys. He also served on the USS LSN 444, a Surface Vessel[ii].

Before joining the Navy, he worked at the Peru Mining Company in Hanover, New Mexico[iii]. He enlisted in the Navy on September 10, 1942, and was honorably discharged on January 19, 1946.[iv]

Following his discharge, he married Irene Chaney in March 1947 in Santa Rita[v], and they raised three children together. His occupation became that of a mining contractor, and he was a resident of Silver City.[vi]

He passed away at the age of 61 in El Paso, Texas. He was survived by his wife, Irene, and the military services at his funeral were conducted by the New Mexico State Police.

 

Images & Documents

Graves

Gene and Irene Galassini headstone at Ft. Bayard National Cemetery

Notes:

Compiled by Gladys Zubiría

 Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Legacy Memorial, Find Your Veteran

https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/GENEGALASSINI/53FD986

[i] Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

[ii] New Mexico Commission of Public Records, State Records Center and Archives; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Subsubseries: Military Discharges; Box Number: 16583; Box Title: Military Discharges Gaarder-Galvez.

[iii] New Mexico Commission of Public Records, State Records Center and Archives; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Subsubseries: Military Discharges; Box Number: 16583; Box Title: Military Discharges Gaarder-Galvez.

[iv] Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

[v] El Paso Times, 30 Mar 1947, Sun · Page 15.

[vi] El Paso Times, 16 Feb 1985, Sat · Page 5.