An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/578623
An Cosantóir October 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | by A DENNEDY P atrick Gallagher was born in Mayo in 1944 and at the age of 19 he moved to New york to live with his aunt and uncle where he worked days and attended college at night. In 1966 while Ireland was commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, Patrick enlisted (not drafted) in the Marine Corps. His parents at home in Ireland were aware that he had joined up, but he kept his subsequent deployment to Vietnam a secret from his family. After only a few weeks in Vietnam, Patrick was faced with a situation where grenades landed in the defensive post where he and some members of his unit were manning. Patrick kicked the first grenade clear and threw himself on a second grenade to save his comrades from death or serious injury. When his comrades had reached safety, Patrick threw the grenade away from the trench - it exploded seconds later. Cpl Patrick 'Bob' Gallagher was recommended for the Congres- sional Medal of Honour by his commander but was awarded with the prestigious Navy Cross to acknowledge his heroic actions. General Westmorland who was the highest ranking officer in Vietnam, pinned the medal on him. His citation included the following comment, "Through his extraordinary heroism and inspiring valour in the face of almost certain death, he saved his comrades from probable injury and pos- sible loss of life." Patrick wrote home to inform his family of his presence in Vietnam and of his Navy Cross, as the story was about to attract media attention both at home and abroad. He assured them that he was fine and not to worry, he told them that the military were, "making too much of it." Patrick told his mother that he would be back in Mayo in mid April and that she should not worry. Tragically, on 30th March 1967, Patrick was killed shortly before he was due to leave Vietnam - he was 23. Fellow Marine, Frank G Erwin, was beside the Mayo man when he was killed. Erwin later wrote, "His death was a profound loss to our entire company, as everyone looked to Patrick for courage in battle". His remains were flown home and the town of Ballyhaunis came to a silent and sorrowful halt as the funeral cortege, with the casket draped in the US flag, preceded through Main Street. The Gallagher family was united in grief at the graveside by two other West of Ireland families, the Nevins and the Freynes who had each lost a son in Vietnam in the previous months. Patrick had also campaigned for Senator Bobby Kennedy, a letter from the senator was read aloud at Patrick's funeral in Ballyhaunis. Patrick was one of approximately 3,000 Irish citizens (mostly greencard holders) who served in Vietnam with the US Forces during the 1960s - 17 were killed and many more were wounded. Patrick Gallagher's story is, in many respects, the story of all of them. To honour Patrick's bravery and service to his adopted home- land, there is a petition to have a US Navy ship named after him. The ship is due to be launched in 2017 which would mark the 50th anniversary of Patrick's death. The petition is approaching 4,500 signatures. This campaign has received amazing support - mainly through word of mouth. Many of the early signatures of the cam- paign came from members of the Irish Defence Force. To further highlight the story, four billboards detailing the story of Patrick have been on display in the boarding area at Dublin airport and can be seen by all passengers departing to North America. The petition organisers hope to reach 5,000 signatures before the end of 2015. Please support this campaign and spread the story, more info can be found at www.patrickgallagherusmc.info This billboard is currently on display at Dublin Airport. The Navy Cross Cpl Patrick 'Bob' Gallagher Vietnamese soldiers of the 21st Recon Company rush to board waiting Huey choppers in South Vietnam 1969. ©AP Photo/Godfrey An Irishman in Uniform