Brigadier General Robert Edward Galer (October 24, 1913–June 27, 2005) was a naval aviator in the United States Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for heroism in aerial combat during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. He went on to command Marine Aircraft Group 12 during the Korean War and retired a few years after in 1957. Youth & Education Robert Galer was born in Seattle, Washington, October 24, 1913. He attended the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in commercial engineering in 1935, at which time he began elimination flight training at the Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Seattle. In June 1936, he began his Aviation Cadet flight training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps, July 1, 1936. [edit]Marine Corps Career Following his designation as a Naval Aviator in April 1937, he was transferred to the 1st Marine Brigade in Quantico, Virginia, for duty with Aircraft One. In July of the same year he was assigned to a course of instruction at the Basic School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Following the completion of his studies in June 1938, he was ordered to the New York Navy Yard, but shortly thereafter was transferred to the Virgin Islands where he served with Marine Scouting Squadron 3 (VMS-3) in St. Thomas. He was advanced to First Lieutenant in July 1939. [edit]World War II First Lieutenant Galer was returned to the United States in June 1940 and in July reported to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in San Diego, California and assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 2 (VMF-2). In January 1941, he was ordered to Hawaii and was appointed a captain in March 1941. Galer was serving at the Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Oahu with Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211), when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In May 1942, Galer assumed command of Marine Fighting Squadron 224 (VMF-224) and on August 30, 1942 led the squadron to Guadalcanal as they became part of the Cactus Air Force. It was while in command of VMF-224 that Galer would be credited with 11 confirmed victories and be awarded the Medal of Honor and a rare British Distinguished Flying Cross for the same acts of heroism. Following the presentation of the Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House on March 24, 1943, Maj. Galer was ordered to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where he served as Assistant Operations Officer. Shortly after advancement to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in November 1943, he was ordered to return to the Hawaiian Islands, where he became Chief of Staff, Marine Air, Hawaiian Area. In May 1944, LtCol. Galer was named as Operations Officer, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. He served as an observer during the Palau Islands and Iwo Jima campaigns while on temporary duty from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. His next assignment found him as Training Officer of Provisional Air Support Command, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He again returned to the United States in June 1945 and reported to the Marine Barracks, Naval Air Training Base, Corpus Christi, Texas, in July as officer in charge of a cadet regiment. He remained in that capacity until August 1947, at which time he was assigned as a student at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. In June 1948, he reported to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he served as Operations and Training Officer. He joined Headquarters Squadron-2 at that station in April 1949 and was transferred April 26, 1950 to the Naval Air Station San Diego, California. He served there as Marine Planning Officer and, later, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, on the Staff of the Commander, Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. During his assignment, he was promoted to colonel in March 1951. [edit]Korean War Colonel Galer sailed in March 1952 for Korea, where he saw duty as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4 (Supply), of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing until the following May. He was then named Commanding Officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12), and, for extraordinary achievement on July 11, 1952 was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross. According to the citation accompanying this medal, he "led a maximum effort strike of Marine attack aircraft against a heavily defended industrial area in the North Korean capitol city of Pyongyang." Colonel Galer was also awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service in Korea. On August 5, 1952, he was shot down behind enemy lines by anti-aircraft fire while leading a flight of 31 warplanes against targets near the North Korean port city of Wonsan. He was later rescued by a HO3S-1 helicopter flown by 1stLt E.J. McCutcheon.[1]. After a period of hospitalization, he returned to duty at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, in October 1952, as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 (Personn

Alex O. Ellis "We are always in a process of refinement, especially in the school of life." -Alex O. Ellis Alex Ellis is redefining the meaning of style. An author, speaker, custom clothier, mentor, and gentleman of integrity and distinction, Ellis is turning heads across the nation through his well-dressed stature and inspirational words. He has been recently featured on CNN’s “Reclaiming the Dream”, Black Enterprise’s Our World Television Show, The 700 Club, BET and the Steve Harvey Morning Show. Honored with the distinguished 40-Under-Forty award from the Network Journal, Ellis is heralding a powerful message on image from the inside out. Nationally-recognized as an inspirational speaker, Ellis passionately delivers a fresh perspective that stimulates human potential; a lesson he shares from his own personal testimony of overcoming a battle with self esteem. In addition to his personal experience, several years of research and experience have distinguished him as an authority on image coaching from the inside out, which he hopes to inspire wholesome sophistication in others. He travels the extensively sharing this message of promise to anyone aspiring to defy mediocrity. In every role of leadership, this native of New Jersey proves to be one of this era’s leading men. A man of conviction, Ellis accepts his responsibility of social impartation, fervently taking a hands-on approach with his campaign, “Tied to Greatness”, a national outreach program targeting the image of inner city high school males. This 11-city tour is an innovative approach that is making headlines across the country, as Ellis has called men of color to join forces to take action by teaching young men the power of image, and how to convey their inner and outer personalities with a sense of strong character, pride and dignity. He has emerged not only as a non-traditional role model for the next generation, but also a leader who calls men to action. A voice for each generation, he also inspires men as Chaplain for the Police and Fire Department in the city of New Brunswick. Ellis completed his formal education by receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree at North Carolina A & T State University and Masters Degree of Theological Studies at Rutgers University. A strong advocate for “maintaining the posture of a student”, Ellis fervently believes, “We are always in a process of refinement, especially in the school of life.” Ellis shows no sign of slowing down, as it is apparent in his passionate drive to revive the impeccable fashion chic of the Renaissance man. He also wears an entrepreneurial hat as CEO of Simply Ellis LLC, a custom clothing company that specializes in fine custom suits, shirts, Italian neckwear, and exquisite cuff links, while celebrating the unique style of every client he services. Ellis aims to restore the pride of men in his African American Literary Award-winning book, Restoring the Male Image…A Look From the Inside Out. While exploring the blend of character, style, and sophistication in the image of a man, Ellis introduces the reader to a powerful acronym by exploring a series of qualities to help men identify and understand their I.M.A.G.E.: I=Integrity; M=Manhood; A=Authority; G=Generosity; E= Excellence. This book provokes men to take a deeper look both inside and out to determine whether their expression is a reflection of their authentic self. Ellis is a member of The Berkeley College Fashion Advisory Board, The Custom Tailors and Designers Association of America (CTDA), 100 Black Men of America, and National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP).