Eddie Gallagher knows what it's like to have a target on his back, both on and off the battlefield.
The decorated Navy SEAL, now retired, served his country for more than 20 years in combat zones overseas, fighting terrorists determined to kill him and harm America. And after returning from his eighth and final deployment in 2017, Gallagher was accused of war crimes, targeted by both prosecutors and the media, and imprisoned for nearly eight months until his name was cleared.
Now, Gallagher is co-founder of the Pipe Hitter Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial and legal support to “veterans, police officers, and their families,” helping others fighting similar battles. is collecting donations.
The pipe hitter has made headlines for questioning military leaders during a failed withdrawal from Afghanistan, and is no exception to controversial figures such as Marine Stuart Sherer, whose 17-year career was ended by a court-martial in 2021. He stood at bat. The other is the commander. Eric Ramey was a Navy doctor and the senior medical officer at Basic Training Command (BUD) when Sailor Kyle Mullen died after completing “Hell Week” training in California.
Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher acquitted of murder and attempted murder charges
Retired Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher founded the Pipe Hitter Foundation to help veterans and law enforcement officers who have been wrongly accused of crimes. (Eddie Gallagher)
“What we do is support active-duty military, law enforcement and first responders. We intervene when they are being unfairly accused of doing their job.” Gallagher told FOX News Digital. “We provide emergency relief assistance to families going through a stressful time.”
On October 12th, the Pipe Hitter Foundation will hold its first fundraising event, Operators for a Day, at Stronghold SOF Solutions in Defuniak Springs, Florida. Mr. Gallagher worked with former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerrick and other highly trained military special operators to provide civilians with hands-on firearms training, show them how to fight from vehicles, and provide special Demonstrating close-quarters combat for operators.
The Pipe Hitter Foundation's “Operator For a Day” fundraiser will be held at Stronghold SOF Solutions' facility in Defuniak Springs, Florida. This is a photo of the two-story live-fire range on the property, which allows for demonstrations of close quarters combat. (Stronghold SOF Solution)
“What we're going to do is get all of our retired special operators to help teach, and we're going to do some basic pistol, rifle engraving courses, some vehicle stuff. We're going to accomplish a lot of things.' It's going to be a lot of fun,'' Gallagher said. “For those who do come, it just gives them an idea of what the people they are helping go through on a daily basis.”
The retired SEAL said he hopes the event will give attendees a better understanding of what Navy SEALs and Green Berets went through as they risked their lives for their country.
Tickets are $3,000 per individual, including ammunition, but group discounts are available. It's not a small amount of money, but Gallagher said the money will go to those who served the American people first.
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Mr Gallagher was acquitted in a 2017 war crimes trial related to the death of an ISIS fighter.
“A big part of what we like about what we do is that we help guide people through the process. We get to share the experience of what we've been through, and it helps them It's a big help because when you're in a difficult situation, you know what it feels like when the government is targeting you. Very few people know exactly how much pressure it puts on your family,” Mr Gallagher said.
It's personal for Gallagher. In 2017, he was acquitted of murder charges. islamic country He was a fighter, but was convicted of posing with a prisoner's corpse. The Navy considered demoting his rank from Petty Officer 1st Class to Chief Petty Officer 1st Class and stripping him of his SEAL Trident insignia.
Stronghold SOF Solutions' flat range can support up to .50 caliber ammunition, according to the range's website. (Stronghold SOF Solution)
former president trump After garnering national media attention, Gallagher's story caught the attention of intervened He also blocked the Navy from seeking further disciplinary action against him. fired Thanks to Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer for his handling of the incident.
After his acquittal, Gallagher sued His former lawyer is said to have delayed the case to raise legal fees. He also accused prosecutors of illegal and unethical conduct.
Just eight days after Gallagher was acquitted on most charges, the prosecutor in the case was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. President Trump immediately revoked the medal and called out the lawyer's actions.incompetent. ”
Former Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who was acquitted of war crimes, talks about his new book, “The Truth Is Out There.''
Gallagher retired in 2020 and founded the Pipe Hitter Foundation with his wife, Andrea. The 501(c)(3) organization has since supported numerous military and law enforcement officers accused of wrongdoing, such as Alabama state trooper Ben Darby, who was charged with murder in the shooting death of a man who had threatened suicide. Supported agency staff.
Darby shot and killed Jeff Parker on April 3, 2018, after he called 911 and threatened suicide. The incident was caught on video, and a review board determined that Darby's actions were justified. However, the Madison County District Attorney pursued murder charges against the police officer, and Darby was eventually found guilty and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The Pipe Hitter Foundation assisted Darby in his appeal. After serving approximately 20 months in prison, the Court of Appeal reversed the conviction and Darby was released. The officer later pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and a judge sentenced him to three years' probation in 2023. AL.com reported.
“He was able to go back to his family,” Gallagher said of Darby. “You know, the fear is never there. He has to overcome all the fake news and all the demonization in the media.”
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The Pipe Hitter Foundation fundraiser will provide participants with military special operations training and show them what a day in the life of a Navy SEAL is like. (Photographer 2nd Officer Eric S. Logsdon/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)
The pipe hitter recently became involved in Ramey's case, as a Navy doctor is currently facing an investigation related to Mullen's death.
A Navy autopsy said Mullen suffered from acute pneumonia and an enlarged heart. An investigation released last year found widespread failures in medical care, lack of oversight and the use of performance-enhancing drugs in BUD training programs, the Associated Press reported. Ramey and Captain Brad Geary of Naval Special Warfare Training Command were among the officers identified as responsible after the BUD student's death.
The Pipe Hitter Foundation said the Navy Office of Medicine had already investigated and found Ramey met the standard of care and acquitted him.
“They're hanging them outside to dry,” Gallagher said. “When we saw this happening, we knew exactly what it was. So we supported Dr. Ramey and supported Dr. Ramey, who is at risk of having his medical license revoked.” We want to put pressure on the Navy to take appropriate action against him and drop the charges.”
Although these cases are difficult, Gallagher said everyone is innocent until proven guilty and no one deserves to be vilified before going to court, especially no one who volunteered for their country. claim. Gallagher said if military personnel were demonized, fewer people would want to serve.
“I think this is a bigger problem than people know,” he said. “When I was locked up, I met people. I met young kids who didn't deserve to be there. They made mistakes in life, and excessive punishment in the military is ridiculous. We've had these kids serve for years by being late to the ranks or failing drug tests.''
He pointed out that if some of these teens went to college instead of volunteering for military service, they would be free.
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“The military has a troubling epidemic of over-punishing people to maintain prosecution rates. So this is a big problem. The Uniform Code of Military Justice, UCMJ, is an outdated and outdated system that I think it's corrupt.''
Gallagher said military justice reform is one of the pillars of the Pipe Hitter Foundation's mission. His hope is that their work, supported by Saturday's fundraiser, will inspire young men and women to serve as volunteers.
“We have a massive recruiting crisis, and it's because young men and women coming out of high school and college are seeing how people were treated in the military, especially in the 19th century. The whole COVID-19 vaccination mandate and all the people they illegally kicked out and then invited back years later without an apology.
“Young men and women are paying attention. So when they see that there are groups out there that support people who have been falsely accused or who have been severely abused, it gives them hope to stand up for themselves. Please raise your right hand.'' And I want to serve my country. ”
FOX News Digital has reached out to the Department of Defense for comment.
Fox News Digital's Nick Givas contributed to this report.
