Major General Philip Edward Gallagher was born at Fort Myer, Virginia on March 13, 1897. He was a 1915 graduate of United States Military Academy at West Point and later served as Commandant of Cadets at the Academy in 1942 and 1943. In his career, he served as 1st Army, Chinese Combat Command and was senior U.S. adviser to the 1st Chinese Army. He served as deputy commander of the China Theater in Shanghai in 1945 and as Deputy Director, EUCOM U.S. Constabulary, 1947-1948 and as EUCOM Director of Military Posts from 1948-1951. From 1951-1953, Gallagher served as Commander, Fort Holabird, Md. With the rank of Major General, he served as commanding General of HQ, USAREUR Communications Zone, 1954-1956. He retired with the rank of Major General.

During the Second World War, Columbus native, Elliott Waddell served in the Pacific Theater under Gallagher command and the two remained friends after the war had ended.