1st Lieutenant Zachary Dart Galli was born on September 8, 2000, in Norfolk, VA and passed away tragically in the early morning of May 11, 2024, in Louisiana.
He lived in Chesapeake and Yorktown prior to moving with his family to Williamsburg just before starting Kindergarten. He attended Greenwood Christian Academy, Williamsburg Christian Academy, and then completed his high school years at Lafayette High School (LHS).
Zachary graduated from LHS in 2018 where he served as vice president of his senior class. At Lafayette, Zachary was a member of the Varsity Soccer team, Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, Kendama club and Key club. During his high school years, he was also involved in club soccer and volunteered monthly at the One Child Center for Autism.
Zachary attended the University of Virginia on an Army ROTC scholarship. At UVA, Zachary joined the Chi Alpha Christian fraternity and the Pi Kappa Phi Social fraternity where he served as social chair. Throughout college Zachary continued to volunteer numerous hours helping less fortunate children at a non-profit in Charlottesville, VA.
In May 2022, Zachary graduated with a degree in Kinesiology and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Upon his commissioning, Zachary was named the Professor of Military Science Superior Cadet by his instructors; an award given to the cadet most prepared to assume the responsibilities of being a platoon leader. He furthered his military training at Fort Gregg-Adams (Ft. Lee) in Virginia where he interviewed for and was offered a highly selective position in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). Upon graduating from the Army Logistics University, he received the Distinguished Award of Merit. Zachary attended the EOD school at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida where he earned the colloquial title of “Unicorn” among EOD technicians by passing all 45 required tests on the very first try, something only the most elite few are able to accomplish. In January 2024, Zachary was assigned to his first duty station at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. In late April, Zachary and his unit were sent to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson in Louisiana. It was there that he passed away from injuries sustained during a training accident.
Zachary’s military awards include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Basic EOD Badge.
Zachary had the unique ability to make everyone he spoke to feel like they were the most important person in the room. His incredible life of service and dedication to others can be reflected in his favorite Bible verse found in Isaiah 6:8 which reads, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
Zachary was preceded in death by his grandfather, William “Buddy” J. Galli and his uncle, James “Jim” Thomas Faris, III. Zachary is greatly missed by his parents Michael James and Gail Faris Galli and his siblings, Joshua Holt and Abigail Mae; his paternal grandmother, Virginia “Puddin” Dart Galli; his maternal grandparents, James “Jimmy” Thomas Faris, Jr and Bettie Hargrave Faris; his great uncle Bert Ellis Hargrave, Jr.; his uncle William “Bill” Galli, Jr. (Donna); his aunts Mary Virginia Gray, Christine Marie Galli, and Katherine Walthew Faris; cousins William “Tony” Anthony Galli (Jenny, son-Luca), Joseph Ryan Galli, Augusta Pemberton Gray, Matthew Carter Galli, John Ryan Faris and Christian Ellis Faris; his girlfriend Haley Mae Claflin and countless friends and colleagues.
A visitation will be held Thursday, May 23rd from 5pm-7pm at Bucktrout Funeral Home. A funeral will be held on Friday, May 24th at 10am EST at Williamsburg Community Chapel followed by an interment with full military honors at Williamsburg Memorial Park. The funeral service will also be live streamed at: wcchapel.org/Galli
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations in memory of 1st Lieutenant Zachary Dart Galli to the Peninsula Rescue Mission (3700 Huntington Ave Newport News, VA 23607) or to the EOD Warrior Foundation (where Zach also volunteered.)
