New US naval vessel christened in honour of Mayo man Patrick Gallagher

A new US naval vessel, named in honour of a Mayo man who died in the Vietnam War, has been officially christened.

Patrick 'Bob' Gallagher, who was born in 1944 and grew up in Derrintogher, Ballyhaunis, emigrated to Long Island in New York in 1962.

He later enlisted in the US Marines as the Vietnam War escalated.

In 1966, Mr Gallagher was awarded the top Navy Cross medal for bravery after saving the lives of comrades in a grenade attack during the war.

However, Corporal Gallagher was killed in an ambush in Danang the following year at the age of 23, shortly before his tour of duty was to end.

He was buried with full US military honours in Ballyhaunis.

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works christened the U.S. Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, the future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127).

The christening ceremony took place at Bath Iron Works’ shipyard.

It was announced in 2018, following a petition sponsored by US Senator Chuck Schumer, that a new US naval destroyer would be named in his memory.

Speakers included the Deputy Seán Fleming, Ireland’s Minister of State for the Department of Foreign Affairs, 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.

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 fulfil their duty on behalf of all of us.”

It is a rare honour for a non-US citizen.

The US navy said the vessel will be affectionately known as Bob's ship.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Gallagher’s sisters Pauline, Teresa and Rosemarie as well as his brother Peter.

Also in attendance was newly-elected Mayo Councillor Alma Gallagher.