Irish Vietnam War hero to be honored with naming of US Navy vessel

Lance Corporal Patrick "Bob" Gallagher was sadly killed on his last day of service in Vietnam but left behind an incredible legacy having been awarded a Navy Cross during his life. Now a $2.5 billion US Navy vessel will be dubbed the USS Patrick Gallagher, in the summer of 2024, in his honor.

Around 2,000 attendees were expected at the christening ceremony of the USS Patrick Gallagher at the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works,  in Maine in July 2024.

Gallagher was born in 1944 in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, He emigrated to the United States in 1962. He was studying to be a solicitor when the Vietnam War began to escalate. He subsequently joined the United States Marine Corps.

In the Vietnam War, Gallagher demonstrated exceptional bravery. On July 18, 1966, while serving as a Lance Corporal with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, his platoon was ambushed by enemy forces.

Gallagher's courageous actions during the attack earned him the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. 

Speaking to RTE's "Morning Ireland" his sister, Pauline said, "He threw the first two grenades out of the bunker but the third landed between two of his comrades."

She added "He threw himself on that grenade in order to absorb the explosion and shouted at the others to get out, which they did. He picked up the grenade and threw it into a nearby lake where it exploded and nobody was injured."

In 1966, Gallagher received the Navy Cross from General Westmoreland. 

Sadly, Pauline revealed that her brother was killed on his "very last day" in Vietnam on March 13, 1967.

In 2017 a petition, supported by Senator Chuch Schumer, was launched to name a US Navy ship after the Irish hero. This Saturday the USS Patrick Gallagher will be christened.

Pauline added "Tomorrow is a very exciting day for us as a family but we still have the loss of our brother, who we miss dearly...

"The ship is a great honor but at the same time the grief still remains."

According to the Mayo News, Gallagher was the first Irishman to be killed in Vietnam. In total 30 Republic of Ireland citizens were killed while fighting in the Vietnam War with US forces.

* Originally published in July 2024, updated in Feb 2025.