US Navy ship formally christened in honour of Irish man ‘born to be a Marine’

The US Navy’s newest ship has been officially christened in honour of an Irish man who was ‘born to be a Marine’. 

Hundreds gathered at Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine on Saturday to witness the christening of the USS Patrick Gallagher, a destroyer named after Patrick ‘Bob’ Gallagher, a Mayo native who was killed while serving in the US Marine Corps at the age of 23. 

The ceremony heard tributes from senior US military officers and the Gallagher family to Lance Corporal Patrick ‘Bob’ Gallagher, who was described as a ‘a true Marine’ who ‘exemplifies the highest ideals of both America and Ireland’. 

Born in 1944, Patrick Gallagher attended national school in Granlahan NS and Ballyhaunis Vocational School before emigrating to the United States in 1962. 

He initially stayed with his aunt, May, and began working in real estate before enlisting in the US Marine Corps.

He was deployed to Vietnam, where he was awarded the Navy Cross for kicking away an enemy grenade and jumping on another during an ambush. The grenade detonated after he tossed it a safe distance away, sparing the lives of his fellow troops. 

On March 13, 1967, just days before his tour of Vietnam was to finish, Lance Cpl Gallagher was killed along with several other Marines during a patrol for which he had volunteered.

His story later appeared in the Irish Times, which inspired Martin Durkan and Marius Donnelly to petition the US Navy to have a ship named after him to honour his legacy. 

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Following support from US Senator Chuck Schumer among others, US Secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer, confirmed in March 2018 that the new DDG-127 would be named the USS Patrick Gallagher in his honour. 

Members of the Gallagher family, serving members of the US Navy and veterans were among the large crowd who gathered to witness Patrick’s sisters perform the christening of the ship named in his honour. 

Addressing the ceremony, Patrick’s sister, Teresa, described her brother as ‘a kind, loving, fun-loving person that I looked up to’

She told the gathering that it was ‘very clear that Bob was born to be a marine and was extremely proud of his adopted country’. 

“When I think of Bob, I don’t think of the war hero that we are celebrating here today, although I am very, very proud of my brother. I think of my older brother as a kind, loving, fun-loving person that I looked up to,” said Teresa. 

“I think of all the things he could have done, the person he would have been today. I think of all he has missed out and how much the world has missed him.”

^{The USS Patrick Gallagher in Maine Iron Works shipyard}

While living in the US, Patrick regularly wrote home to Ireland inquiring about his family, but initially kept his military service from them. 

In March 1966, he returned home to visit his native Mayo for three weeks before returning to the US and travelling directly to Vietnam. It was the last time he would ever see his family. 

“I often think how it must feel for him to travel two and a half hours from Ballyhaunis to Shannon knowing where he was going and what he was facing and that he may never see his beloved Mayo again,” added Teresa. 

Assistant Commandant Of The Marine Corps, General Christopher Mahoney, described Lance Cpl Gallagher as ‘a true Marine’. 

“They say that a ship protects its crew. Pat Gallagher was a protector. Pat Gallagher’s spirit will be in this ship. His spirit will protect the crew, his spirit will live on in each day, in every sailor that sails in her,” said General Mahoney

Maine Senator Susan Collins described the occasion as ‘a day of solemn remembrance’ and ‘a day of celebration’. 

Senator Collins said the DDG-127 was being christened ‘with the name of a hero who exemplifies the highest ideals of both America and Ireland: Lance Corporal Patrick - also known as ‘Bob’ - Gallagher, the pride of the United States Marine Corps and a son of County Mayo.” 

“Wherever the Patrick Galalgher sails, the spirit of this valiant marine, this true hero will go with her,” said Senator Collins. 

Minister Sean Fleming TD, who attended on behalf of the Irish government, thanked the family of Lance Cpl Gallagher and all those who had campaigned to have the new ship named in his honour. 

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Minister Fleming described  Lance Cpl Gallagher as ‘an extraordinary Irish American’ who exemplified the values of the Irish diaspora .

He also noted the contribution of the Irish diaspora to the US Navy, including Wexford native Commodore John Barry, who was instrumental in the founding of the US Navy during the American Revolution. 

“With 16 percent of Maine residents identifying as having Irish heritage, the emigration wave still resonates in Ireland today. It is, perhaps, therefore, fitting that we honour a young man from Mayo in the west of Ireland with this christening today,” added Minister Fleming. 

The Gallagher family motto, ‘Be brave and be bold’, has been etched into a keel plate on the ship. 

Pauline Gallagher, another sister of  Lance Cpl Gallagher, said she hoped that the USS Patrick Gallagher would one day visit Ireland. 

“On that day we will gather on that western shore, with all those people who have kept Patrick’s memory alive, and when we see this fine vessel on the horizon, a loud cheer will be heard as the Patrick Gallagher will be coming home,” she said. 

‘Mo Ghile Mear’ (My Gallant Hero) was performed on the bagpipes before Rosemarie, Teresa and Pauline formally christened the USS Patrick Gallagher.