BATH, Maine – A New Warship Honors a Hero

In a heartfelt ceremony on Saturday, three sisters of Patrick Gallagher, an Irish-born recipient of the Navy Cross, christened a guided missile destroyer named in his honor at Bath Iron Works. The future USS Patrick Gallagher commemorates the bravery of the U.S. Marine who sacrificed himself by falling on a grenade to protect his fellow soldiers during the Vietnam War. The event was marked by the presence of an Irish flag and the sounds of bagpipes, reinforcing Gallagher's heritage. Pauline Gallagher, one of Patrick's sisters, expressed her gratitude, stating that the ship serves as a reminder that her brother will not be forgotten, easing their mother’s fears of his memory fading. The ceremony featured a Navy band playing the Irish anthem and bagpipes performing “My Gallant Hero,” highlighting the strong Irish influence present at the event. Patrick Gallagher's courageous act occurred in July 1966, when he survived a grenade attack, only to be killed in action in March 1967, just days before he was set to return home. Teresa Gallagher Keegan, another sister, described Patrick as a humble man who initially downplayed his service until he received the Navy Cross. The family had been preparing to celebrate his return, which tragically never happened. During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Thomas Anderson promised that the USS Patrick Gallagher would visit Ireland after its commissioning, further solidifying the connection to Gallagher's roots. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, displacing 9,200 tons, is designed for multi-faceted warfare, including capabilities against submarines, surface ships, aircraft, and missiles, with newer models also equipped for ballistic missile defense.