US naval warship named after heroic young Irishman

Patrick Gallagher served as a lance corporal with the H Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 4th Marine Regiment during the Vietnam War.

The US navy has just launched its latest warship, and named it after a heroic young Irishman who was decorated for his extreme heroism in the Vietnam War — after throwing himself on a grenade to save his comrades.

The US navy has named the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer after Patrick Gallagher, who was born in Derrigtogher, near Ballyhaunis, Mayo, and was the first Irishman to lose his life during that war.