US naval ship christened in honour of Mayo man
The future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) was christened at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine in the shipyard’s drydock, from which it will be launched in the coming weeks.
Saturday was a poignant day for the Gallagher family as General Dynamics Bath Iron Works christened the U. Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, the future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) in honour of the Mayo man who died in the Vietnam War.
The christening ceremony took place at Bath Iron Works’ shipyard. Speakers included Minister of State for the Department of Foreign Affairs Seán Fleming, Senator Susan Collins, General Christopher Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Hon. Sean Coffey, General Counsel of the Navy and Vice Admiral Darse Crandall, Judge Advocate General of the Navy. Gallagher’s sisters Teresa Gallagher Keegan, Rosemarie Gallagher and Pauline Gallagher are the ship’s sponsors. All three sisters, as well as Patrick’s brother Peter, were in attendance for the ceremony in Maine.
Charles F. Krugh, president of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, welcomed the gathering of more than 2,000 shipbuilders, family members and invited guests, telling them that Cpl. Patrick Gallagher’s bravery and sacrifice are an inspiration to the shipbuilders responsible for building DDG 127 and delivering it to the U.S. Navy.
“Today at Bath Iron Works, we are building the ships that our nation’s Sailors will rely on to protect our country and our families,” Krugh said. “It is our commitment and our privilege to ensure they are best built so the men and women of our Armed Forces can fulfill their duty on behalf of all of us.”
Born in 1944 in Derrintogher, Ballyhaunis, Patrick ‘Bob’ Gallagher was a student in Granlahan National School and Ballyhaunis Vocational School before he emigrated to Long Island, New York in 1962.
Living with relatives, he worked in real estate before later enlisting with the US Marines during the Vietnam War.
Gallagher received one of the highest accolades in 1966 when he was awarded the Navy Cross medal, the second highest honour in the US military, after saving the lives of his comrades during a grenade attack, where he kicked a grenade away before jumping on another.
Just days before his tour of duty was due to end, Cpl. Gallagher was killed in action at the age of 23 during an ambush in Danang. He was later buried in Ballyhaunis with full US military honours.
After a petition by US Senator Chuck Schumer, it was announced that the €2.1 billion DDG-127 US naval destroyer will be named the USS Patrick Gallagher.
Many tributes were paid to Mr Gallagher. Maine Senator Susan Collins described him as a man ‘who exemplifies the highest ideals of both America and Ireland.’ “Wherever the Patrick Gallagher sails, the spirit of this valiant marine, this true hero will go with (the ship).”
Assistant Commandant Of The Marine Corps, General Christopher Mahoney, said: “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.”
Minister Fleming said: “The naming of this vessel in Patrick’s honour is a fitting tribute to a young man who showed tremendous valor, with enormity and in testing circumstances. I want to offer my sincere congratulations to the entire Gallagher family on today’s important recognition of his life.
“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.”
Speaking to all in attendance at the ceremony, Patrick’s sister Teresa said: “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.
“I think of all the things he could have done, the person he would’ve been today. I think of all he has missed out and how much the world has missed him, but I see his face in his nieces, nephews, his grandnieces and his great-grandnieces and nephews.”
Pauline, another sister of Mr Gallagher, hoped that the USS Patrick Gallagher will visit Ireland one day.
“As James Joyce once said 'A man of genius makes no mistakes; his errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.' Patrick’s bravery and the dedication of all those who have honoured his memory have led us to this moment of discovery and pride.”
‘Be brave a be bold’, a motto of the Gallagher family, has been etched onto the ship.
