Remember these Boston Irish War Heroes on Memorial Day

Irish-born and Irish-American veterans have a distinguished tradition of military service in Massachusetts, from the 18th century to the present day. Here are four Boston Irish war heroes, from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I and World War II you'll want to learn about on your next visit.

Commodore John Barry plaque on Boston Common
American naval hero of the Revolutionary War, Commodore John Barry was born in Tacumshane, County Wexford. Barry's ship, the Lexington, was the first to capture a British vessel under the American flag. After the war, President George Washington assigned Barry to help create the United States Navy.

Colonel Thomas Cass, 9th Irish Regiment in the Public Garden
Irish-born war hero Thomas Cass led the Irish 9th Regiment of Massachusetts into battle, and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Malvern Hill in 1861. He was brought back to Boston where he died of his injuries a few weeks later. Cass is buried at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

Lt. General Edward Logan at Boston Logan International Airport
South Boston native Edward L. Logan was Commander of the 101st Infantry regiment of the 26th Yankee Division during WWI. It was the first state regiment to cross the ocean for France, leaving in August 1917. Logan International Airport is named in his honor.

Lt. John F. Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston
As commander of PT 109 during World War II, Lt. Kennedy's boat was torpedoed by a Japanese destroyer in Blackett Strait in the Solomon Islands on August 1, 1943. Though injured himself, Kennedy helped save several of his crew, bringing them to safety on an island where they waited seven days until they were rescued.

Learn more about Boston Irish history by visiting the Irish Heritage Trail.

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Irish Boston History & Heritage

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