A new US naval vessel, named in honour of a Co 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 near 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.
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.
It is a rare honour for a non-US citizen.
The $2.3 billion (€2.1 billion) USS Patrick Gallagher was today officially christened in Bath in the State of Maine.
The ceremony was attended by Mr Gallagher’s sisters Pauline, Teresa and Rosemarie as well as his brother Peter.
Earlier, members of the former US corporal’s family and other locals gathered by his graveside, which is marked by a simple headstone.
A plaque has also been erected in the graveyard in memory of the local man, who was a proud Mayo man.
The group were among members of the community who watched a live stream of the ceremony on a large screen in the Ballyhaunis community hall.
The US navy said the vessel, to be launched at a later date, will be affectionately known as Bob’s ship.
This, it said, is in the hope that Mr Gallagher's "spirit and legacy" will protect all those who sail onboard.
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Martha Gallagher, the wife of Mr Gallagher's late brother Martin, said it was an emotional day but also a happy day.
"We are so proud of him, so proud. It's a great honour as well to have this and we're just so proud," she said.
"We will never forget him," she added.
Speaking in Ballyhaunis, Ms Gallagher said her brother-in-law is talked about every day.
His nephew Colm Gallagher said it was a "proud day for the family and a proud day for the town".
He said it is "surreal really that a ship of this magnitude has been named after him, named after an Irish person as well".
"It is a sombre moment as well because at the end of the day, he was only 23 when he died," he added.
Colm Gallagher described it as "a great thing to happen" that after nearly 60 years a ship has been named after his uncle and "for the American people to realise the bravery that he showed for their people as well".
"It's a great honour for everyone around here," he said.
Martin Duggan said his first cousin was "courageous" and "a brave young lad".
Mr Duggan said Mr Gallagher’s death was "a tough time".
"It was a very hard time for a lot of people, especially the immediate family, and in particular his father and mother," he said.
"Of course, it was worse the fact that they expected him home in a few weeks, and then to get this terrible news was awful," he added.
Mr Duggan said that Mr Gallagher had saved "the lives of a few of his comrades and colleagues a short time before his death.
"It was very sad at that time," he said.
Mr Duggan also said everyone was "very proud of Patrick".
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Seán Fleming represented the Irish Government at the event.
Minister Fleming said that the naming of the ship in Mr Gallagher's honour "is a testament to his inspiring story and comes following a long campaign led by Corporal Gallagher's family".
"I offer my sincere congratulations and best wishes to the entire Gallagher family today on this important recognition of Patrick's achievements and life," he said.
US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said Mr Gallagher’s "keen instinct, bravery and selflessness in the face of danger are testaments to his character and the true character of so many who choose to serve our nation".
In an address at the ceremony, Mr Del Toro said he is "certain the crew of USS Patrick Gallagher will uphold their namesake’s legacy as they defend America’s national interests and promote peace around the world".
