Chief Hospitalman

UNITED STATES NAVY

Joseph Andrew Gallant, Jr., was born on June 24, 1927, in Bradley, Maine.  He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gallant, both deceased.

He was graduated from Bradley Grammar School and attended Old Town High School for 2 years before enlisting in the Navy on January 4, 1945.

Joseph received his basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Sampson, N.Y., and was assigned to the Navy Hospital Corps.  He began his apprentice training at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, Calif.

His first sea duty assignment was in the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42).  He returned to shore duty at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Oceanside, Calif.  After another tour of sea duty in the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Shangri-La (CVA 38), he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Communications Station in Winter Harbor, Maine.  He later served at the Naval Hospital Corps School, Portsmouth, Va.

Joseph volunteered for submarine duty, and successfully completed Submarine School and served successively in the submarines U.S.S. Toro (SS 422), Redfin (SS 272), Balao (SS 285), Corporal (SS 346), and nuclear-powered submarine U.S.S. Nautilus (SSN 571).  During this period he became qualified in submarines and was awarded his silver dolphins.  He had also earned the Navy’s Good Conduct Medal (four awards); Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign, National Defense Service, World War II Victory, American Campaign, Navy Occupation Service with European Clasp; medals; and a letter of commendation from the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Nautilus and another letter of commendation from the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Corporal.

On February 27, 1961, Joseph became a member of the crew of the nuclear-powered submarine U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593).

Joseph is survived by his widow, Mrs. Rose E. Gallant of McKinley, Maine.  He also leaves two brothers, Leon and Paul; and four sisters, Lucy, Theresa, Vivian, and Valarie.