In 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served during World War II as a radarman and an armed guard on liberty ships in the North Atlantic.

[1][3] During his tenure as National Commander, Galbraith gained recognition as a witty speaker who delivered vital speeches to include "Freedom is Not Free", "Law and Order", and "Have We Lost Faith in America?"

His dedication to The American Legion and memory of sacrifices by the armed services were expressed in the motto he used during his term as National Commander: "Freedom is Not Free".

[3] Accomplishments during his term in office include planning the Legion's 50th anniversary, a visit to South Vietnam and launching the Stitch-in-Time program which sent sewing machines to that country, creation of the American Legion Task Force for the Future, testimony to the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs, and a 36,000 person climb in the numbers of Legionnaires during his term of office.

[3] Galbraith also served as the Executive Vice President for the North American Equipment Dealers Association in St. Louis, Missouri.