SERGEANT MAJOR JOHN GILBERT LALLY (then Private), Medical Department, Army of the United States, displayed extraordinary heroism in combat against the enemy, on 20 January 1942, in the Philippine Islands. As a member of the Medical Detachment, 31st Infantry Regiment, Sergeant Lally, at the risk of his life, evacuated many of his wounded comrades from the firing line under heavy mortar and incessant sniper fire. Because of Sergeant Lally’s heroism at that time, many were evacuated to a place of safety and some owed their lives to his courageous actions.

Sergeant Major Lally first entered the Army in 1941. He was captured on Bataan and was a prisoner for 42 months. He served in Korea twice during the conflict and then retired in 1962. He was recalled back to the Army in 1967, served in Vietnam, and again retired in 1972.

John Lally joined the Legion of Valor in 1987 as a life member and resides in Washington State.