Mayo man remembered at Vietnam War event in San Diego

Ballyhaunis native, corporal Patrick ‘Bob’Gallagher who was the first Irish enlisted man to lose his life in the Vietnam War, has been remembered at a memorial event in San Diego.

The honour of singing the Stars and Stripes at the ceremony held at Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial Park for Bob, a member of the Marines and other members of the American armed forces who died in the line of duty over the last 250 years, went to Máirtín de Cógaín, a native of Carrigaline, Cork, and a long time resident of the US.

Members of the Gallagher family travelled for the event.

Such was Bob’s valour in combat that two years ago a US naval destroyer, the USS Patrick Gallagher, costing $2.3 billion was named in his honour.

Bob, a native of Derringtogher, was 23 at the time of his death.

He was interred with full US military honours in Ballyhaunis cemetery. He was 23 at the time of his death.

Neil O’Connell, executive director of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, praised Patrick and all the others who had died in the line of duty since the Declaration of American Independence 250 years ago.