Irish America

Irish America

World War II

Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Shaw

By Olivia O’Mahony, Editorial Assistant
December 2, 2016

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The Japanese surprised the United States by attacking Pearl Harbor in the early hours of December 7, 1941. One of the most iconic photographs from that day is of the U.S.S. Shaw, a ship named after an Irishman and early officer in the U.S. Navy. Following the attack, the Shaw, which was nearly destroyed, returned to battle and went on to become one of the most highly-decorated … [Read more...] about Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Shaw

Kerry WWII Veteran Receives
France’s Highest Honor

By Julia Brodsky, Contributor
February / March 2016

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Ninety-seven-year-old Kerry man John “Jack” Mahony was named a Chevalier de La Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest honor, for his participation in the European theater of World War II. Mahony received his medal and commendation from Phillipe Ray, first counsellor from the French Embassy, in early December at a ceremony in Midleton, Co. Cork, where he and his late wife, Mary, … [Read more...] about Kerry WWII Veteran Receives
France’s Highest Honor

Smoky The Lucky War Dog

By Jerri Donohue, Contributor
December / January 2016

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The famous war dog who served in World War II, and Bill Wynne, the U.S. Army Air Force G.I. who adopted her. The first time Cpl. William Wynne saw Smoky, he found it hard to believe she was a dog. “She was as big as my G.I. shoe,” Wynne says. “She weighed all of about four pounds.” In addition, the animal was almost bald; someone had hacked off most of her fur in an attempt … [Read more...] about Smoky The Lucky War Dog

“Irish Dave” and the Yanks
Who Liberated Normandy

By Jerri Donohue, Contributor
June / July 2015

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Belfast native David Ashe retired to Normandy, France, and became a champion for visiting GIs who had liberated his adopted homeland during World War II. In September 2011, Guy Whidden, a World War II veteran from Frederick, Maryland, peeled off his 101st Airborne Division jump jacket in the men’s room of the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville, France. Whidden next … [Read more...] about “Irish Dave” and the Yanks
Who Liberated Normandy

Standing Proud

By Daisy Carrington, Contributor
June / July 2005

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Mary Pat Kelly, director, producer, screenwriter and contributor to Irish America magazine, doesn't always pick topics that interest the mainstream media. In 1984, she was commissioned by Rolling Stone to write about President Ronald Reagan's visit to Ireland. While in the country, she covered the elections. "In those days there was still a lot of violence. The idea of going … [Read more...] about Standing Proud