The father of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob "Jake" Galliher, who was killed in a 2023 drone attack in Syria, has publicly disputed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's characterization of a private meeting with grieving families. In a televised interview on March 19, 2026, Hegseth described the meeting as an opportunity for families to ask questions and receive answers, stating he was "humbled" by their strength.
In response, Derek Galliher, Jake's father, told The Associated Press that Hegseth's account was misleading. "It felt more like a briefing. They weren't really answering our questions," Galliher said. He expressed frustration that the session, which included several Gold Star families, did not provide the substantive dialogue he had hoped for regarding the circumstances of his son's death.
Staff Sgt. Galliher was one of three U.S. service members killed in a drone attack on a base in northeast Jordan on January 28, 2024. The attack, which injured dozens more, was attributed to Iran-backed militias. The Pentagon confirmed the meeting between Hegseth and the families took place but has not commented further on the differing accounts.
The public dispute highlights the sensitive and often fraught communication between military leadership and the families of fallen service members. Gold Star families have historically sought transparency and detailed information about the missions that cost their loved ones' lives.
