THE IRISH IN WWII

Some of the Irish Soldiers Who Gave Their Lives in Europe

The Irish-born soldiers listed below all died during World War II while on active service with the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe. They were initially interred in various U.S. military cemeteries on the Continent. After the War, their remains were returned to Ireland for reinterment at the request of their next-of-kin. In 1948 and 1949, U.S. military aircraft repatriated the remains to Collinstown Airport, Dublin. Each casket, draped in the Stars and Stripes, was accompanied by a U.S. Army escort.

At the airport, the Irish and American flags flew at half-mast as representatives of the U.S. Legation and Ireland's Department of External Affairs officially received the remains. Irish Army chaplains presided over religious services. The Irish Army rendered full military honours. Army buglers sounded "The Last Post" and "Reveille." The individual caskets, each accompanied by a U.S. escort, were then placed on Irish Army lorries for transport to railway stations and removal to the home parishes of the deceased.

U.S. Military

NAME, RANK, BRANCH OF SERVICE & SERIAL NUMBER	ADDRESS & NAME OF NEXT OF KIN	DATE OF REPATRIATION & PLACE OF PREVIOUS BURIAL
JOSEPH P. CARMODY Technician, U.S. Army	NEWMARKET, CO. CORK James Carmody, Father Woodside, New York	JUL 5, 1949
PATRICK J. COMER PFC, U.S. Army 32003268	GORTGAROO, CLONBURN, BALLLINASLOE, CO. GALWAY Thomas Comer, Father	OCT 6, 1948 Military Cemetery Maastricht, Holland
FRANK J. FINNERTY PVT, U.S. Army 32244172	COLMANSTOWN, BALLINASLOE, CO. GALWAY Bridget Finnerty, Mother	OCT 6, 1948 Military Cemetery, Maastricht, Holland
PATRICK J. FITZGERALD PVT, U.S. Army 32345286	PATRICKSWELL, CO. LIMERICK Thomas Fitzgerald, Father	OCT 7, 1948 Military Cemetery, Maastricht, Holland
MARTIN J. KELLY PVT, U.S. ARMY	DERRY, MAURICE MILLS, CO. CLARE Patrick Kelly, Uncle	JUL 5, 1949
JAMES KEVANE PVT, U.S. Army	MAUME, BALLYBEG, VENTRY, DINGLE, CO. KERRY Michael Kevane, Father	JUL 5, 1949
MICHAEL J. LYONS PFC, U.S. Army 33777017	SHANKILL, POLES, CO.CAVAN John Lyons, Brother	OCT 7, 1948 Military Cemetery, Maastricht, Holland
THOMAS McARDLE SGT, U.S. Army	FALMORE, DUNDALK, CO. LOUTH Bridget McArdle, Mother	JUL 5, 1949
PATRICK J. McDONAGH PFC, U.S. Army 35305527	WESTPORT, CO. MAYO Sarah McDonagh, Mother	OCT 6, 1948 Military Cemetery, Maastricht, Holland
EDWARD J. McKEON 1/LT, U.S. Army	BOYLE, CO. ROSCOMMON Rose C. McKeon, Mother	JUL 5, 1949
THOMAS MOLONEY PVT, U.S. Army	LISSANY, KILCONLY, TUAM, CO. GALWAY Mary Moloney, Mother	JUL 5, 1949
THOMAS MORAN S/SGT, U.S. Army 32112918	LISNAGROBY, BALLINLOUGH, CO. ROSCOMMON Mary Moran, Mother	OCT 7, 1948 Military Cemetery, Maastricht, Holland
PATRICK J. MORRIS PVT, U.S. Army 36375586	KILTOOM. ATHLONE, CO. ROSCOMMON Mary L. Morris, Mother	OCT 6, 1948 Military Cemetery, Maastricht, Holland
THOMAS J. MORRISROE PFC, U.S. Army	CORTOON BEG, TIBOHINE, FRENCHPARK, CO. ROSCOMMON John Morrisroe, Father	JUL 5, 1949
THOMAS O'BRIEN PVT, U.S. Army	EDEN, KNOCK, CLAREMORRIS, CO. MAYO James O'Brien, Father	JUL 5, 1949
M. J. O'SHAUGHNESSY SGT, U.S. Army	CAMP ST., OUGHTERARD, CO. GALWAY Patrick O'Shaughnessy, Father	JUL 5, 1949
JOHN O'SHEA SGT, U.S. Army	CASTLEGREGORY, CO. KERRY Catherine O'Shea, Mother	JUL 5, 1949
EDWARD SMITH SGT, U.S. Army	GLENMORE, BALLINAMUCK, CO. LONGFORD Mary Anne Smith, Mother	JUL 5, 1949

Irish on the Wall

Irish in the Korean War

Irish in Other Wars and Armies

Page last updated August 17, 2004