Walter Galson was born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1918. He grew up in Bavaria, where he excelled in ski racing and mountain climbing. In order to avoid being called up for German military service, an uncle sponsored Galson to come to the United States to study in 1937. Although his father was decorated by Emperor Franz Josef for his service in the Austrian Army during World War I, nevertheless because of his Jewish heritage, he was imprisoned by the Nazis for a time in Dachau concentration camp. In 1939, Galson's parents were permitted to emigrate to England, where Galsonʹs mother died during the German Blitz in 1940. Galson himself, was unable to join the American Army because he was not yet a citizen. He volunteered to be drafted and was called up for service in October 1941. He was initially assigned to artillery school, until his ski background earned him a spot in the newly formed 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment. Galson participated in the Kiska invasion in 1943 and trained at Camp Hale, Colo. and Camp Swift, Tex. He saw combat in Italy where he was wounded in action and was awarded the Silver Star medal and Bronze medal for gallantry. Galson was the only member of the 10th Mountain Division to receive the British Military Medal, England's highest award for enlisted soldiers, from King George VI. He died in 1984.
From the description of Walter L. Galson papers, 1943-1995 [manuscript]. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 123571317
