HML-367 "COBRA JOE"

One of the finest Cobra Pilots to ever fly.

1st LT Joseph Gallo was the first Cobra Pilot to achieve 1000 hrs Cobra time.

IstLT. Gallo died in an AV-8A crash stateside. Lt. Joe Gallo lived his life to the fullest and ended it FLYING the way he wanted to.

Herb & Joe

Joe. Robert & David

I was privileged and am Honored to say I knew your dad. He was one of the finest men I ever knew. Your dad attained the nickname "Cobra Joe" for being the first to attain 1000 hours of flight time. What many do not realize is that a lot of that flight time was test time. He was always available to test any hour of any day. There were many days he flew all day, was exhausted and would stay behind and fly test for me. These test hops often required mechanical adjustments between flights. He was always there. He would do anything, many a night (and early morning) he held a flashlight while I made adjustments. We were really not supposed to test after dark. He would just smile and we would get a mission number and go testing. He would always be sure I received at least 15 to 30 minutes of Flight instruction in case anything happened and I had to fly, land or takeoff. Yea right he was just giving me stick time.
We worked on the infamous spilt "S" for over three hours. I was the copilot on the first one. He was smooth as glass on the controls.
When I met your dad I had already been in NAM for three consecutive combat tours from 67 to 70. I had been a UH-34D Crew Chief during TET 68 and a UH-1E Huey Gunship Crew Chief for mostly "SOG" missions. I wasn't too keen on being a TEST crew for the Cobra Squadron. He changed my perspective on our first test hop. He understood everything about the Aircraft. He wanted to know everything about the mechanics and how they interacted.

We lost a tail rotor over the water on a test hop and he saved my life by making a perfect landing south of MMAF on the beach right at the water line.

The photo is 1st Lt. Herb Silva, one of your dads best friends (POPASMOKE member) and your dad at the O club at MMAF 1970

Joe. Robert & David

This is a photo of 1st LT Joseph Gallo being congradulated on being the first Cobra Pilot to achieve 1000 hrs Cobra time.

This is the only time I ever saw your dad out of a Flight suit. I almost did not recognize him!

Cobra Joe

Well this is a blessing to hear these replies. I really appreciate the bond you must have had and will save and remember these stories for my self and my family. If you pisck up the latimes today you will find a 4day write up about the Harrier and the problems we had with it, but you will also see a write up about Cobra Joe. I have already sent your messages to just about everyone i know. I am going to a family reunion in New Jersey on the 27th and I'm taking these stories with me in a protfolio of some sort to share with everyone out there. Thank you again for your time and memories. David Gallo

🙂 David,
I also had the pleasure to fly with your father a couple of times while we were in Viet Nam. We were sqauadron mates in HML 367 and shared may fun times together. Joe was fun to be around and was a really nice guy. I always enjoyed his company.
Sid Baker
Scarface 21
HML 367
Nov 69- Oct 70

Joe and David,

Pat Owen here. Ditto to what the previous writers have said. As you know, I flew with your dad in both Cobras and Harriers. Absolutely one of my most memorable characters in my 21 years in the Corps. Yoour Dad was one of a kind! Keep in touch, my best to your mother.

Pat

David,

I was a fellow pilot in HML 367 with your dad. I never had the pleasusre of flying with him. I believe that I have the originals of several of the pictures of him, some of which have been posted here. If I can locate them I will send you prints from them as the earliest opportunity.

I agree fully with Pat and George and Sid - your dad was a fine marine!

Mark Byrd, Scarface 47

Herb Silva a fellow HML-367 pilot with your dad is now a dentist in the St. Louis, MO area. Here is his office address, and phone:
Dr. Herb Silva
16100 Chesterfield Parkway West
Chesterfield, MO 63017-4817
636-532-3208