United States Air Force Staff Sergeant • Line of Duty Death: November 28, 2023
United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Jacob Michael Galliher passed away on November 28, 2023 while deployed in Japan.
Galliher was born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts along with his siblings. He lived primarily with his father and stepmother, however, he lived close to his mother and stepfather. Throughout his childhood, he loved playing football, being active, and spending time with his family and friends. Galliher and his wife, Ivy, met through mutual friends. After spending time together, they became inseparable and were later married.
Born with a compassionate and empathetic heart, Galliher decided to enlist in the US Air Force after graduating high school in 2017. He loved the friends that he made and took pride in being able to provide for his family. Throughout his career, Galliher was awarded with an Air Medal, Air and Space Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Unit Award. While deployed, Galliher was involved in an Osprey crash off the coast of Yakushima Island, Japan, tragically and prematurely ending his life. He was only 24 years old.
Ivy currently resides in Massachusetts with her sons, Malcolm and Killian, and her dogs. She enjoys taking her sons to the places her husband loved the most. She is also beginning the Jacob Galliher Foundation, which will provide scholarships to high school students in honor of her husband. In the future, Ivy is excited to continue to watch her children grow and blossom into humble, caring, funny and loving young men, just like their father. She is eternally grateful to Tunnel to Towers for allowing her to remain in the home she and Galliher created for their family. Finally, Ivy would like others to know that her husband loved his boys unconditionally. He was selfless, having always put others before himself. Galliher loved life while he was serving his country.
United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Jacob Michael Galliher is survived by his loving wife, Ivy, his sons, Malcolm and Killian, and his extended family members.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Galliher family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.