Remembering a Day that Lives in Infamy

On a biting, wind-swept Tuesday morning, a solemn crowd convened in Sleepy Hollow to remember a day that continues to live in infamy.

While Memorial Day and Veterans Day often receive more prominent attention among service member organizations, for about 11 years, Sleepy Hollow has held its own ceremony marking the start of World War II – the bombing of Pearl Harbor. 

"We're one of the few veterans groups who still have a ceremony in this county," said Richard Maki from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1939.

Pearl Harbor Day has special significance in Sleepy Hollow, and perhaps no one understands that significance more than Sleepy Hollow resident Armando "Chick" Galella. Chick was there 69 years ago when the bombs fell on Pearl Harbor. He recalls the day vividly – it was one that would forever change his outlook on life. 

"I got through breakfast and was just about to read the newspaper when all of the sudden bombs started falling and we were strafed," Galella said. "The attacks lasted for two or three hours."

Chick survived the initial bombardment and ended up having to live out of a volcanic crater for two weeks, however his friend from North Tarrytown (now Sleepy Hollow), John Horan, did not. At the age of 23, Horan ran out to defend Hickman Field at Pearl Harbor, and never returned. 

"He raced toward the aircraft, but never made it," Gallela said. 

Horan is considered to be the first casualty from Westchester, and possibly New York State, during World War II. Sleepy Hollow's annual Pearl Harbor ceremony takes place every year at , a small park along the Hudson River that is dedicated to John Horan. 

Horan's nephew, Tarrytown resident Jerry Barbelet, still carries the memory of his uncle and represented him at Tuesday's ceremony.

"I never got to meet him, but we keep his memory alive," Barbelet said. "I even named my son after him."

While 2,350 people died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, it was just the beginning for Chick Galella. 

He ended up spending five years in the Pacific. His tour of duty came to a climax after spending 40 days in a troop transport ship on the way to the island of Okinawa – considered to be a part of the Japanese heartland. The ensuing battle of attrition was costly, over 50,00 US troops were killed or wounded in the grueling campaign. Japan ended up losing more than 100,000 soldiers and countless civilians. 

"We had flame throwers to get the Japanese out of the holes, which is what my outfit did and tried to secure the island as soon as possible with minimum casualties," he said. 

During his time on Okinawa, mostly spent working on communications, the directive came down that soldiers who had exceeded the military's point system (based on number of battles, rank and time in the service) could finally go home.

"The island was pretty much secured and I told my Colonel that I wanted to go home," Galella said. "He told me the war wasn't over, and I told him it was over for me."

Chick was crossing under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco when the Japanese finally surrendered.

"When I returned home I tossed my barracks bag on the ground and didn't even think about it," Galella said.

Decades later, after he retired, Chick finally opened the bag that carried all the belongings he had during his time in the Pacific. In the bag was a commendation paper stating that Galella had earned a Bronze Star during his tour of duty. 

"I couldn't believe it, it had been sitting there the entire time," he said. 

With the help of Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Chick got his long-overdue medal this past August. Another Bronze Star and service medals were awarded, posthumously, to Chick's brother Frank, who served time in the European Campaign.

Today, Armando "Chick" Galella wears his Bronze Star proudly, but he continues to carry the memories of Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Campaign and the lives of those who were lost along the way.

"I'm no hero," he said. "All of our heroes have crosses."