World War One medals on display at Mayo library

MEDALS belonging to a World War One veteran awarded one of the USA's highest military honours have gone on display in his native Mayo.

Recently, the family of Private Michael Walsh, a native of Claremorris, who died serving in the US Army during World War One, presented a display of his medals to Claremorris Library.

Mayo Library carried a report on their social media on the presentation and the life and service of Michael Walsh:

Michael Walsh was born in 1888 and grew up in Claremorris with his nine siblings. At one time they lived on Church Street (now Dalton Street).

He emigrated to New York in 1911 and joined the US Army - Company K, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, AEF.

He died during the Battle of Meusse Argonne in France on October 24, 1918, aged 30. He was buried in a cemetery where more than 14,000 US soldiers were laid to rest.

A century later, Michael was posthumously awarded a purple heart, one of America’s highest military honours.

This was presented to the Walsh family at a ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.

The family presented Claremorris Library with a framed case of Michael’s three medals, which includes the Purple Heart, Victory Medal and the French Croix de Guerre.

Members of the Mayo Peace Park, local officials and a representative of the US Army attended the presentation.

The display is available for the public to view during library opening hours.