A forgotten Irish Medal of Honor winner and Civil War hero finally had his heroism acknowledged with a military ceremony and a 21 gun salute in a pre Memorial Day event held last month.
A crowd of nearly 300 attended and full military honors were given at the installation of a headstone at the grave of Donegal native Martin McHugh in Danville, about 120 miles from Chicago.
Ceremony Committee Co-Chairman Larry Weatherford stated that McHugh had lain in an unmarked grave for 117 years.
"We are here to change that," Weatherford said.
Ray Johnston a researcher with the Medal of Honor military committee stated "I am proud and humble of what you have done here today."
The US Navy band a church choir and the Knights of Columbus also took part after a procession from McHugh’s former home to the graveyard..
Ralph Zoccolillo, chairman of the Indiana Blue Star Salute, told the crowd, "The phrase — We shall never forget — is epitomized in Danville for the way you have gone out of your way to honor Seaman McHugh."
A headstone along with a plaque now marks the b site of Seaman McHugh and his wife Catherine.
McHugh, who was an Irish immigrant, made his way to Danville after he, his mother and sister arrived in Boston from Ireland.
The discovery of McHugh’s unmarked grave came about after the determined efforts of local Irish American woman Machelle Long, according to Commercial News.
The Medal of Honor is the only U.S. military award that is worn from a ribbon hung around the neck and the only award presented by the president in the name of Congress. It is the greatest award given to American fighting heroes. More Medal of Honor recipients have been from Ireland than from any other foreign country.
McHugh was born in Ireland in 1837 just before the famine, probably in Donegal, and came to America after the the Great Hunger drove him out.
He joined the Union side in the civil war and served on board the USS Cincinnati.
His medal of honor citation, which mistakenly stated he was born in Ohio, reads: “The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Seaman Martin McHugh, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg (Mississippi) batteries and at the time of her sinking, 27 May 1863.
"Engaging the enemy in a fierce battle, the Cincinnati amidst, an incessant fire of shot and shell, continued to fire her guns to the last, though so penetrated by shellfire that her fate was sealed. Serving bravely during this action, Seaman McHugh was conspicuously cool under the fire of the enemy, never ceasing to fire until this proud ship went down, 'her colors nailed to the mast.'
"General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 17 (July 10, 1863)
Action Date: May 27, 1863
Service: Navy
Rank: Seaman
Division: U.S.S. Cincinnati"
Long told the local Danville Commercial News that she was first tipped off when Ray Johnston, a member of a Medal of Honor research group, called looking for any information on McHugh.
Long, a 16-year employee of the Department of Records in Danville, immediately began the research. She found various versions of his name and traced his ancestors and his descendants.
“I could have given up when I couldn’t locate a record of his burial,” she said. “But I felt driven to dig deeper.”
She had the support of her boss Vermilion County Clerk Lynn Foster, to discover all she could.
“I felt that since Martin McHugh had apparently gone well beyond his duty in serving our country, that we should take those extra steps necessary to find and honor him,” Foster said.
Long’s search began to preoccupy her and she often found herself tramping through local cemeteries looking for McHugh’s grave, Long said.
“I’d find myself turning on the computer at home and looking for that one little morsel of information that could help me prove where he was buried, or find out one more little bit about him.”
She finally came across his obituary in the Feb. 25, 1905, 'Daily Democrat' newspaper.
That led to documents listing McHugh, and his wife as buried at the former St. Patrick’s, now Resurrection Cemetery. Part of the confusion was that he was sometimes listed as McCue.
Last year , the government agreed to provide a gravestone for the Irish Civil War hero and his wife Catherine, who was buried beside him.
He continued to serve until the war was over, and then settled in Danville.
From his obituary it turned out that he had erroneously been reported in 1890 as having died of heart disease and had to show his neighbors and friends that he was still alive by walking “up and down the principal streets” to prove he was alive.
Long says her quest is not over and she is still seeking other descendants.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.sirpeter | May 29, 2012, 05:15 PM EDT
Bythebay.This is an Irish American site.They relate to Ireland and Irish culture.Most if not all ethnic groups single themselves out in America.America is a multicultural society.Just as Europe is a multicultural society.Each relating and enjoying their own culture.Now why don't you go and fu*k off ya thick eejit.
Bythebay | May 29, 2012, 01:15 PM EDT
Other immigrant groups in the US consider themselves Americans, they aren't singling themselves or their Medal of Honor recipients as Polish American, German American, Italisn American, Japanese American, Chinese American, etc. etc. They are Americans. You self-designated "Irish Americans" are obviously unable to mainstream as Americans at all.
sirpeter | May 29, 2012, 08:28 AM EDT
Bythebay.If there was Irish Central medals for stupidity you would have won them all since your first comment.You take stupidity to a whole new level.
IrelandNorth | May 29, 2012, 05:42 AM EDT
If descendants of native Irish emigrants to the United States of America (USA) should drop their connection with the old country, should Ulster-Scot planter stock in an integral part of Ireland not drop their political connection with the United Kingdom of Great Britain (UKGB)?
headlocal | May 28, 2012, 08:11 PM EDT
Martin McHugh is yet another glorious Celtic warrior! Along with Cooper, Hogan, King, Lafferty, Mullen, and countless Murphys. And our Scot-Irish cousins who did most of the fighting for Independence, in an era where most colonists were bystanders. BYTHEBAY is yet another worthless QUISLING. Forget her. Remember Elmer Davis' great quote: "This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."
greensod | May 28, 2012, 07:32 PM EDT
Better late than never.
seanomelbourne | May 28, 2012, 06:22 PM EDT
He was born in Ireland bythebay my great grandfather fought for the union(he was born in Roscommon).You have a difficult time giving credit where it is due,you're a sad case and an Irish/ American hater.
KevinKehoe | May 28, 2012, 05:49 PM EDT
Bythebay why are you so negative about your own people, or are they ?. Perhaps you should jump in the Bay and refresh yourself, you might be a bit more positive about your people.
misam01 | May 28, 2012, 05:40 PM EDT
I think it is great that this person was finally recognized. I think it is too bad that the reporter did not do proper homework on the Medal of Honor. IT IS NOT A HORSE RACE OR TRACK & FIELD COMPETITION! Most recipients are DEAD and the medal given to a member of their family Of course with the Irish having to fight for nearly everything, including fun, maybe the reporter just assumed it was another contest. As a Vietnam Veteran, ('69-'70) I tend to get the nails on the blackboard feeling when I see this. As a joutnalist and Veteran, I KNOW BETTER I hope someone will enlighten this poor soul.
Bythebay | May 28, 2012, 05:17 PM EDT
Other immigrant nationalities in the US generally consider themselves American and don't seek to constantly separate themselves by singling themselves out for self praise. Determining whether an individual is born in Ireland or a descendant of someone born in Ireland cannot be done by surname.
Searlit | May 28, 2012, 04:43 PM EDT
Well done!
TimWhitmore | May 28, 2012, 10:39 AM EDT
Thank you for reporting the honors so belatedly bestowed on Seaman McHugh. I would like to point out that Medals of Honor are not "won" as in a race or the lottery. Medals of Honor are earned and those who have had a Medal of Honor bestowed are recipients not winners. Respectfully, Tim Whitmore
BrianO | May 28, 2012, 10:10 AM EDT
A mis-leading title to this article, it seems the researchers were tenacious in their work to not forget this veteran.
carrickcourt | May 28, 2012, 09:51 AM EDT
Researching men who enlisted from Washington, CT in the Union Army during the USA Civil War I have found at least four Irish born lads, including three brothers with the family name of Black, who enlisted from Washington, Connecticut (CT), USA and served honorably. Later in the USA Civil War, after the draft was started, I found a number of men with Irish names enlisting in the Union Army from Washington, CT who soon after enlisting are listed as deserters. These lads were no doubt paid ($300)as substitutes for Washington, CT men who had been drafted. Because of the fact that record keeping was not the best during the Civil War men would enlist as substitutes, desert, and then enlist again to get another $300. I suspect this was the case with these men who enlisted from Washington, CT and then deserted as there are no records of them ever living in Washington, CT