[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 101 (Thursday, July 27, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8380-S8382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 3759. A bill to name the Armed Forces Readiness Center in Great 
Falls, Montana, in honor of Captain William Wylie Galt, a recipient of 
the Congressional Medal of Honor; to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the Galt 
family from my home State of Montana. The Galt family first came to 
Montana in 1910 settling in Judith Basin County. They have been leaders 
in their communities ever since.
  One member of the Galt family paid the ultimate sacrifice for his 
country at the young age of 24. U.S. Army CPT William Wylie Galt was 
awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his brave actions in 1944. 
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an 
enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the 
armed services of the United States.
  Captain Galt's citation reads:

       For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond 
     the call of duty. Capt. Galt, Battalion S3, at a particularly 
     critical period following 2 unsuccessful attacks by his 
     battalion, of his own volition went forward and ascertained 
     just how critical the situation was. He volunteered, at the 
     risk of his life, personally to lead the battalion against 
     the objective. When the lone remaining tank destroyer refused 
     to go forward, Capt. Galt jumped on the tank destroyer and 
     ordered it to precede the attack. As the tank destroyer moved 
     forward, followed by a company of riflemen, Capt. Galt manned 
     the .30-caliber machinegun in the turret of the tank 
     destroyer, located and directed fire on an enemy 77mm. anti-
     tank gun, and destroyed it. Nearing the enemy positions, 
     Capt. Galt stood fully exposed in the turret, ceaselessly 
     firing his machinegun and tossing hand grenades into the 
     enemy zigzag series of trenches despite the hail of sniper 
     and machinegun bullets ricocheting off the tank destroyer. As 
     the tank destroyer moved, Capt. Galt so maneuvered it that 40 
     of the enemy were

[[Page S8382]]

     trapped in one trench. When they refused to surrender, Capt. 
     Galt pressed the trigger of the machinegun and dispatched 
     every one of them. A few minutes later an 88mm shell struck 
     the tank destroyer and Capt. Galt fell mortally wounded 
     across his machinegun. He had personally killed 40 Germans 
     and wounded many more. Capt. Galt pitted his judgment and 
     superb courage against overwhelming odds, exemplifying the 
     highest measure of devotion to his country and the finest 
     traditions of the U.S. Army.

  In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, BRAC, decided 
to permanently close Galt Hall U.S. Army Reserve Center on Gore Hill in 
Great Falls, MT, and relocate units to a new Armed Forces Readiness 
Center near Malmstrom Air Force Base across town. The U.S. Army Reserve 
Center on Gore Hill was dedicated to Captain Galt in 1958.
  I believe it is a fitting tribute to name the U.S. Armed Forces 
Readiness Center in Great Falls, MT, ``The Captain William Wylie Galt 
Great Falls Armed Forces Readiness Center'' to carry on the history of 
this brave Montanan.
  Captain Galt may be gone, but with the naming of the Armed Forces 
Readiness Center in Great Falls after him, the memory of this true hero 
will live on and remind us that freedom is never free.

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