Robert was born on the 18th of February 1878, in Brooklyn, New York, to Scottish immigrants. Little is known about his early life, but it is known that he enlisted in the US Navy prior to the Spanish-American War in which he served. When the Philippine-Insurrection took place, Robert was a Gunner’s Mate Third Class and his actions would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism and gallantry while under fire of the enemy at El Pardo, Cebu, Philippine Islands, 12 and 13 September 1899.

Robert received the Medal of Honor in November of 1899, and after returning to the States, he married Dora in 1904 and the couple had one daughter, Ruth. Robert remained in the Navy through World War 1 and reached the rank of Quartermaster Third Class by the time he was discharged. Robert Anderson Galbraith died on the 13th of May 1949, at the age of 71 and he is buried with his wife in the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York: Distinguished Service Section, Site 17.