Fulfilling a lifelong call to serve his country and a sacred family tradition, Chief Eddie Gallagher joined the service soon after high school in 1999 and enlisted in the Navy. He joined the ranks of his father, a West Point graduate and retired Lieutenant Colonel, two naval aviator uncles (one of whom died in the service), and three grandparents who served in World War II. After 19 years in the service and eight combat tours, Eddie is among the most elite of warriors who has served quietly and bravely on the front lines to protect his country in nearly every conflict since 9/11.

After boot camp Eddie attended Corpsman (Medic) school, was attached to a Marine Corps unit, and in 2000 first deployed with his Marine platoon to Kosovo. After September 11th, 2001 Eddie saw clearly his call to defend the country and volunteered for Marine sniper school. Eddie become the first non-Marine to graduate the school, an incredibly tough feat for this insular and elite program.  As a Marine Scout Sniper, Eddie was among the first waves to deploy on the front lines of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 to Mosul for his second combat deployment.

Never settling, Eddie strived to do more and upon returning home he enrolled in Basic Underwater Demolition Schools (BUDS). He graduated in 2005, becoming a United States Navy SEAL. He was again deployed to Iraq in 2006-2007, and in addition to the combat action and Iraqi and Afghanistan service ribbons, Eddie was awarded Navy and Marine Commendation Medal with V for Valor. During 72 patrols and 12 combined direct-action missions, many under direct enemy fire, Eddie’s “unrelenting perseverance and loyal devotion to duty” resulted in 36 terrorists captured.

As a SEAL Eddie would continue to excel, rising not only in rank but as a true leader. He became lead sniper, lead platoon medic, lead breacher, fire team leader, master training specialist, squad leader and eventually, lead petty officer where he was in charge of entire SEAL platoon deployed to the Middle East. He would be recognized by the Navy for his leadership, given the award of Sailor of the Year and Sailor of the Quarter – titles granted to superior and dedicated professionals within their commands who best represent the Navy.

Among his numerous deployments with the SEALS Eddie was again recognized for valor in combat, being twice awarded the Bronze Star with V for Valor.  In one instance, under enemy fire yet again and from multiple positions, Eddie cleared nearly 100 stalls in a bazaar in Afghanistan, secured a rooftop position, and effectively freed a friendly element that was pinned down by enemy fire. His “courageous and decisive actions silenced the enemy fire…and “by his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative and total dedication to duty, Petty Office Gallagher reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Eddie has undergone a total of eight tours of duty, six as an elite special forces operator serving on the front lines of combat.  He is the consummate and professional warfighter, earning medal after medal for leadership and bravery in battle. In total Eddie has earned the Bronze star with V for Valor twice, Meritorious Unit commendation, Presidential Unit citation two Navy Commendation medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, and four good conduct awards. His last deployment in 2017 to Iraq where he was tasked with leading his platoon to clear ISIS from Mosul, Eddie was awarded #1 SEAL Chief and #1 SEAL platoon.

Eddie’s record and reputation as an elite warrior is rivaled only by a few men who have served by his side as special warfare operators and heroes who have gone before him. He does not seek recognition for his work, but his service demands the respect and honor owed to the special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call.

19 Year Service Member

Joined July 28th 1999

Marine Corps
Medic/Corpsman for platoon
7 month Combat Deployment – 2000 Deployment – Mediterranean/Kosovo
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 

Marine Corps
Sniper/Corpsman
Marine Corps Water Instructor Survival Specialist – MCWISS

Marine Corps
9 month combat Deployment during invasion of – Mosul/Africa 2003
Marine Corpsman/Medic/Sniper
Combat Action Ribbon

Basic Underwater Demolition/ NSWC – 2004
SEAL Qualification Training Graduation  2005
SEALTEAM ONE – 2005
18 Delta Field Medic Course – 2005

SEAL Team One
Special Operator 2nd Class – SO2
Plt Medic, Sniper, Corpsman
2 Troop Delta PLT
Combat deployed to Iraq 2006-2007
Navy commendation medal with V for Valor / combat action ribbon / Iraqi campaign / Afghanistan Campaign /Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 

SEAL Team One
Special Operator 1st Class – SO1
Lead Sniper / Platoon Medic / Lead Breacher / Fire Team Leader
2 troop Delta platoon,
Combat Deployment – Afghanistan 2009-2010
Combat Action / Afghanistan Campaign / Bronze Star with V for Valor 

Naval Special warfare Center BUDS Instructor
Master Training SpecialistSpecial Operator 1st class,
2010-2012

SEAL Team Seven -2012-2017
Special Operator 1st class, SO1
2 troop, Delta platoon
Squad leader, lead sniper, Lead Breacher, fire team leader, Lead Corpsman
Combat Deployment – Afghanistan 2013
Army commendation medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat action ribbon with gold star insignia for multiple combat deployments

SEAL Team 7
Charlie Platoon– Lead Petty Officer of plt, SO1
Crisis Response element
Deployment United Arab Emirates– 2014-2015
Navy Commendation medal
SEAL Team 7 – Sailor of the quarter
SEAL Team 7 – Sailor of the year
Naval Special Warfare Group One- Sailor of the year
Number one E6 at Command

SEAL Team 7
Alpha Platoon – Special Operator Chief, E-7
Combat Deployment – Mosul, 2016-2017
Number one Chief at SEAS Team 7 Command

Awards:
2 Bronze Stars with V for Valor
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Presidential Unit Citation
2 Navy Commendation Medals
3 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals – 1 with V for Valor
4 Good conduct awards

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*All images posted have been provided by and approved for sharing by Andrea Gallagher, SOC Eddie Gallagher’s wife.