Who: Lance Corporal Patrick "Bob" Gallagher was awarded the Navy Cross for bravery, having been drafted into the service of his adopted country, he willingly served. While under fire Patrick Gallagher showed his extraordinary heroism and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, he saved his comrades from probable injury and possible loss of life. His daring actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Citation:

Awarded the

NAVY CROSS

for service as set forth in the following Citation:

For extraordinary heroism as an ammunition carrier in a machine-gun Team with Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines near Cam Lo, Republic of Vietnam, in the early morning of 18 July 1966.

The company was set in defensive positions at 0145, when enemy soldiers who had infiltrated the area threw a grenade into the position which Lance Corporal Gallagher and three other Marines were manning. Lance Corporal Gallagher, awake and displaying keen presence of mind, immediately kicked the grenade out of the position where it exploded at a safe distance.

Another enemy grenade followed and landed in the position between two of his comrades. Without hesitation, in a valiant act of self-sacrifice, Lance Corporal Gallagher threw himself upon the deadly grenade in order to absorb the explosion and save the lives of his comrades.

The other three Marines moved to safety while two other grenades landed in the position and exploded, miraculously injuring no one. Lance Corporal Gallagher's Squad Leader then ordered him to throw the grenade into the nearby river where it exploded upon hitting the water.

Through his extraordinary heroism and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, he saved his comrades from probable injury and possible loss of life. His daring actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

 What: The petition respectfully request that the Secretary of the Navy direct that a DDG class ship scheduled to be procured in or after 2017, be named in honor of Corporal Patrick "Bob" Gallagher, USMC, Navy Cross, of Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, Ireland (KIA ~ Da Nang 1967).

This request is in keeping with the traditional naming conventions of naming Destroyers (DDG) after U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corp., or U.S. Coast Guard heroes, and this would coincide appropriately with the 50th year anniversary of Patrick's death in action.

 Please sign the petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/patrickgallagher

 Please Note: The petition site is hosted and maintained by volunteers. Patrick's direct family are the only contacts for media inquiries, background or additional information. The Patrick Gallagher website http://www.patrickgallagherusmc.info/  will forward any requests, and the family will respond directly as appropriate. We appreciate your support today, and for learning more about Patrick's life.