Patrick Rogan (Medal of Honor)
Encyclopedia
Patrick Rogan was an Irish-American US Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the Indian Wars
. He was born in County Leitrim
, Ireland
.
Shortly after immigrating to the United States
, Rogan was paid $625 to be a substitute for a man recently called up for the draft. He enlisted in the army in February 1865, serving during the final months of the American Civil War
. He was discharged from the army the following July, but reenlisted almost a year later in July 1866, joining the 7th US Infantry
.
During his first enlistment, Rogan married Margaret McLennon, who was the sister of future MOH recipient John McLennon (who received the medal for the same action as Rogan). By the end of his first enlistment in 1870, he had already been promoted to the rank of sergeant
. During his second enlistment, he served with his brother-in-law under colonel
John Gibbon
in the Nez Perce War
. By the end of fifth enlistment in 1889, he had finally been promoted to the rank of first sergeant
. He eventually retired from the army in 1895.
Following his retirement, Rogan was employed as a night watchman for the Union Pacific Coal Company
. He died in Rock Springs, Wyoming
, and was buried beside his wife and brother-in-law McLennon.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. He was born in County Leitrim
County Leitrim
County Leitrim is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Shortly after immigrating to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Rogan was paid $625 to be a substitute for a man recently called up for the draft. He enlisted in the army in February 1865, serving during the final months of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He was discharged from the army the following July, but reenlisted almost a year later in July 1866, joining the 7th US Infantry
7th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The United States Army's 7th Infantry Regiment, known as "The Cottenbalers" from an incident that occurred during the Battle of New Orleans, while under the command of Andrew Jackson, when soldiers of the 7th Infantry Regiment held positions behind a breastwork of bales of cotton during the...
.
During his first enlistment, Rogan married Margaret McLennon, who was the sister of future MOH recipient John McLennon (who received the medal for the same action as Rogan). By the end of his first enlistment in 1870, he had already been promoted to the rank of sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. During his second enlistment, he served with his brother-in-law under colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
John Gibbon
John Gibbon
John Gibbon was a career United States Army officer who fought in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
in the Nez Perce War
Nez Perce War
The Nez Perce War was an armed conflict between the Nez Perce and the United States government fought in 1877 as part of the American Indian Wars. After a series of battles in which both the U.S. Army and native people sustained significant casualties, the Nez Perce surrendered and were relocated...
. By the end of fifth enlistment in 1889, he had finally been promoted to the rank of first sergeant
First Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
. He eventually retired from the army in 1895.
Following his retirement, Rogan was employed as a night watchman for the Union Pacific Coal Company
Union Pacific Coal Company
The Union Pacific Coal Company was formed in 1874 as the Union Pacific Coal Department by the Union Pacific Railway. The company was formed because Union Pacific's former coal supplier, Wyoming Coal and Mining Company was selling coal at highly inflated costs to the railroad.-Founding:Before 1874...
. He died in Rock Springs, Wyoming
Rock Springs, Wyoming
Rock Springs is a city in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 18,708 at the 2000 census. Rock Springs is the principal city of the Rock Springs micropolitan statistical area, which has a population of 37,975....
, and was buried beside his wife and brother-in-law McLennon.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company A, 7th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Big Hole, Mont., 9 August 1877. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 2 December 1878.Verified and reported the company while subjected to a galling fire from the enemy.
External links
- Biography at Friends of Nez Perce Battlefields
- Find a Grave