Assigned to 548BS, 385BG, 8AF USAAF. Shot down 17-Aug-43 in B-17 42-5886 'The Jolly Roger', Evaded (EVD). MACR 387A
 

Bruno was born Oct. 10, 1920, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He moved to Florida in 1944. His time as an engineer and turret gunner on a B-17 nicknamed ‘Jolly Roger’ comes with the harrowing memory of it being shot down. After he baled out from the plane and parachuted down, he saw a German plane headed straight for him. German protocol called for no opposing airman to survive. However, the German pilot, whom Bruno could clearly see the eyes of, swerved, gave him a thumbs up, dipped his wings and turned around. After landing in a cow pasture, T/Sgt Gallerani took off all identification including an inflatable Mae West life vest. He covered his shoes and all exposed skin with cow manure, which successfully masked his scent from the Gestapo tracking dogs.

After three days of forging fruit where he landed, the Belgian Underground determined he wasn’t a German spy and helped him. He was then handed over to the French Underground and taken to Paris. From there, Bruno and two French resistance fighters bicycled to Spain. The journey took about a month, during which he remembers losing 40 pounds in weight.

Awards: AM, GC, American campaign, EAME, WWII Victory.