Mayo man’s acts of heroism led to the commissioning of a US naval ship, the USS Patrick Gallagher
RECOGNITION Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring hosted a special reception for the Gallagher family in recognition of naming of the ship USS Patrick Gallagher by US Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer earlier this year. Pictured were General Walter Boomer, United States Marine Corp and Chief of Staff of Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, with siblings of Corporal Patrick ‘Bob’ Gallagher, Peter, Pauline, Teresa and Rosemarie with a portrait of their brother Corporal Patrick Gallagher and replica of USS Gallagher. Pic: Conor McCabe Photography
Áine Ryan
A SPECIAL reception has been held by the Lord Mayor of Dublin for the Gallagher family of Ballyhaunis to honour their late brother whose heroism has led to the commissioning of a US naval ship, the USS Patrick Gallagher.
Lance Corporal Patrick ‘Bob’ Gallagher was killed in action near De Nang during the Vietnam War on March 30, 1967.
He had been awarded the Navy Cross – the US Navy’s highest honour – for his actions on July 18, 1966, after he threw himself over an incoming grenade, saving three fellow marines before pitching it safely into a nearby river.
Aged just 23 when he died, he was one of only 30 Irish citizens to have died during the Vietnam War.
Hosted on Friday last (November 9) by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring, the special reception for the Gallagher family was held in recognition of the honour of naming a ship, the USS Patrick Gallagher by US Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer earlier this year.
Aged just 23 when he died, Lance Corporal Gallagher was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery.
Among the attendees at the reception were his siblings, Peter, Pauline, Teresa and Rosemarie. General Walter Boomer of the United States Marine Corp also attended the reception in the Mansion House alongside the Chief of Staff of the Defense Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett. They are pictured with a portrait of their brother and a replica of the USS Gallagher at the reception in recognition of naming of the ship USS Patrick Gallagher hosted by Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring.
Meanwhile, US Senator Susan M Collins made the first ceremonial cut of steel for the building of the ship in the Bath, Maine, shipyard on Friday last also.
Speaking at the US ceremony, Captain Casey Moton said: “Not only will this ship continue the legacy of enduring war-fighting capability, it will carry with it the strength and courage demonstrated by its namesake.”
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