It's twenty years ago this week since a remarkable event took place on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
This was a gathering that saluted a group of young Irishmen who gave their lives in American uniform in the Korean War of 1951-53.
There were 28 of them. All but one served in the U.S. Army. One served in the U.S. Marines.
They died for America, but not as American citizens. This glaring contradiction would be rectified on that 2003 fall day in the nation's capital.
Politicians mustered, family members from around the U.S. and Ireland assembled. There was much emotion and pride. Proudest of all, a man whose work over a quarter of a century had made the day possible, was John Leahy, a native of Lixnaw in County Kerry. John was by then retired and living with his wife Eileen in St. Augustine, Florida.
John had served in Korea as a sergeant of artillery. He brought back with him memories of battle. In later life his restless mind turned to those fellow Irish immigrants who had never come back from the hills and valleys of a far distant land.
John Leahy’s determination to right a wrong was comprised of a mix of several things: a rock strong personality, Kerry pride, Irish stubbornness, and a burning desire to make sure that the young Irishmen who never returned from “The Forgotten War” would never themselves be forgotten.
The ceremony in Washington was made possible by John Leahy's work over the decades. The fine print that sealed the deal was in legislation crafted by Senator Charles Schumer. Schumer was on hand as citizenship was formally bestowed. Senator Edward Kennedy showed up to add his words to the historical record.
And so that ever expanding record. The 28 are buried in various parts of the United States and Ireland. John Leahy, who died on November 10, 2014 rests in Chester, Orange County in New York. But one of the 28, his 28, is interred in John's beloved Lixnaw.
And that is Corporal Patrick Sheahan, winner of the Silver Star and Bronze Star.
If there is a loose end in this story it is Pat Sheahan. He died a hero and his heroism was acknowledged in those medals. But not quite acknowledged enough as far as John Leahy and others were concerned.
Many felt that Sheahan should have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
Here's the actual text of the army's report describing Sheahan's last charge.
"CORPORAL PATRICK SHEAHAN, US51064448, Infantry, Company "A", 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. On 4 October 1951, Company "A", with the First Platoon serving as the assault unit, attacked Hill 281 near Chungseri, Korea. Stiff enemy opposition prevailed and the sweeping fire of a hostile machine gun soon pinned down the platoon and halted the advance up the hill.
"Corporal SHEAHAN, realizing the gravity of the situation and aware that the enemy weapon must be neutralized, courageously crawled forward under the lethal hail of fire and completely destroyed the emplacement with accurately thrown hand grenades. Uncertain as to whether all the enemy soldiers had been killed by the explosions, he rose to his feet and, rushing forward, fired a long burst into the smashed entrenchment, eliminating all possible opposition.
"It was while thus revealed to the enemy, as he carried out his single handedly brave action that corporal SHEAHAN fell, mortally wounded by the savage fire of an adjacent automatic weapon. Corporal SHEAHAN'S aggressive gallantry and selfless devotion to duty were instrumental in the successful completion of his unit's mission and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the military service from the State of New York."
It for sure looks like a Medal of Honor would be appropriate but, thus far, it has not been awarded to the gallant Kerryman.
But such things as righting a wrong can take time. It took John Leahy about 25 years to complete his mission and secure posthumous citizenship for Pat Sheahan and the other heroes. It has been twenty years since that mission reached formal fruition in Washington. Who knows what might transpire in the next twenty.
But one thing is for certain. Pat Sheahan's heroic sacrifice for freedom and democracy will not be forgotten. And neither will John Leahy's personal crusade.
