A keel-laying ceremony will take place today for a US Navy Destroyer, named in honour of a Mayo man who died in the Vietnam War.
Corporal Patrick "Bob" Gallagher emigrated to the US in the 1960s and served with the US Marines in Asia.
He was nearing the end of a tour of duty when he was killed in an ambush, 55 years ago today.
Corporal Gallagher's family subsequently received a citation from the US Military recognising his service but turned down the offer of a posthumous Medal of Honor.
In 2018, the US Navy confirmed it would name a vessel after him. It said this was in recognition of "exemplary service in defence of the nation" that he undertook.
His brother Peter described the decision as a great honour for the family and for all those who fought and died during the Vietnam war.
Today’s event marks the start of the construction process.
The USS Gallagher will be a guided missile destroyer and will be the newest such vessel in the American marine fleet.
It will be constructed at the Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine over the coming months.
Corporal Gallagher was buried in Ballyhaunis, with full US Military honours, following his death.
His grave bears the distinctive white headstone, typical of those of deceased US service personnel and is visited each year by members of the US Marines.
Doc on One: Mayo man, Vietnam hero
