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The contributions of Irish-Americans to our literary, musical, artistic, religious and philosophical heritage have been voluminous and significant. They have also made countless contributions to our everyday quality of life. For example, fourth and fifth generation members of our urban fire and police departments continue to make our communities more safe and secure. And an oft-forgotten but critically important contribution of the Irish relates to their involvement in our wars, distinguishing themselves on battlefields from Antietam to Kandahar; sacrificing life and limb for a country that treated them early on like third-class citizens. Following the apocalyptic famine of the late 1840's, some 2 million Irish men, women and children braved the brutal Middle Passage to immigrate to America.
Their dreams of better days to come soon became a nightmare as they found their lives diminished and degraded by the evils of poverty, discrimination and religious persecution. Despite it all they endured, strengthened by their communal bonds, their faith and undeterred hope that things would get better. And despite it all, they developed a great sense of loyalty to their adopted homeland.
That loyalty would be demonstrated most prominently by their participation in our several wars, beginning with the most tragic, senseless conflict. Of the c.150,000 Irish-Americans who fought for the North in the Civil War, over a third came from New York, including Michael Corcoran. A colonel with the 69th New York Militia, his heroism at the First Battle of Bull Run, magnetic personality and exceptional qualities as a leader became legendary. After his promotion to Brigadier General, he formed Corcoran's Legion whose exploits, trumpeted by the press, helped improve the image of Irish-Americans nationally. Among those following in the footsteps of "Corcoran's Boys" was Sgt. Major Daniel Joseph Daly from Glen Cove, Long Island. Acclaimed by former Corps commandant Gen. John LeJeune as the "Outstanding Marine of all time," Daly was one of two gyrenes to earn two Medals of Honor (first during the battle for Peking, China, in 1900 and second, in 1915, for heroism in Haiti). Outnumbered, outgunned and pinned down at Belleau Wood (France) in June of 1918, he defied the odds by leading a successful counterattack after yelling to his men-"Come on you SOBs, you wanna live forever?"
Following in those big shoes were WWI heroes "Wild Bill" Donovan and the Rev. Francis Duffy. Donovan was a Buffalo native who earned a Medal of Honor fighting with New York's 69th in France in 1918, He then went on to earn a law degree before serving as a general in World War II. Considered by many to be the "father of the CIA," he was given the moniker "the last hero" by Dwight Eisenhower. Canadian born Duffy was a brilliant scholar, teacher and editor of the New York Review before becoming the regimental combat chaplain of the 69th during World War I. Along with ministering to his boys' spiritual needs, Father Duffy accompanied litter bearers during battles, helping to recover the wounded, always in the thick of action. He became the most highly decorated cleric in the Army's history, the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre medals pinned to his chest when he mustered out. Father D's statue near the square bearing his name on 47th Street in the City stands in testimony to his greatness.
Thousands of Irish-Americans served with honor and/or made the supreme sacrifice in our wars post- 1918, including Long Island's own, Lt. Michael Murphy. The Patchogue native, all-around athlete, Penn State honors grad and Navy Seal was killed-in-action on a desolate mountain ridge in Afghanistan in 2005. His heroic efforts to save his men despite being wounded numerous times earned him one of the two Medals of Honor awarded to warriors from New York State. Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham from Scio was, posthumously, awarded the other.
In pubs throughout Ireland on Thursday, glasses will be raised in the memories of men named Tone, Pearse, Plunkett, Connolly, MacDonagh and Collins, along with the others, whose blood stains the face of Mother Ireland-men who believed that their lives were a small price to pay for the realization of a dream, an Irish isle freed from the bondage of their English masters. On the 17th, readers might consider a toast to the memories of Corcoran, Daly, Donovan, Duffy, and Murphy, and another to Irish-Americans everywhere, living and deceased, for their loyal service to this country. The cost of achieving and preserving our freedom has always been high, and few people have been more willing to pay that price than the Irish. La fheile Padraig sona dhuit!
Ray Lenarcic is a 1965 State University of New York at Fredonia graduate and is a resident of Herkimer.