Ken Wright
John King
By Ken Wright
12, Sep 2010 - 13:12

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony At the raising of the Tri Colour and the Stars and Stripes. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony The Last Post was played by the 'Five Brass' US Navy Band. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Michael Kelly Member of the Commodore John Barry Post No 3 Claremorris, who received the Korean medal. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Members of the Ballinrobe scout group. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Minister Tony Killeen unveiling the statue assisted by local primary school children, Sarah Quinn, Ian Bourke, Benjamin Rice, Padraic O’Hora, Patrick McGinty, Aine Gibbons, Brian King, winners of the John King essay competition. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Children from St. Joseph’s Primary School Band who led the parade. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony L-R; Ernie Sweeney, Mayo Peace Park, Ger Deere, Mayor of Castlebar, Michael Feeney, M.B.E. Mayo Peace Park and Enda Kenny TD. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Part of the large crowd who attended the ceremony . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Invited veterans: l-r; Liam Keane, American Legion Dublin Ireland, Michael Noone, Agitant Commodore John Barry Post No 3 Claremorris, Coleman Walsh, Member of Commodore John Barry Post No 3, Mike Sliman Member of Commodore John Barry Post No 3. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Granddaughter of one of the veterans taking a great interest in the ceremony. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony L-R; Michael Burke, Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council, Senator Kristov, Enda Kenny TD and Councillor Blackie Gavin. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Committee members and invited guests L-R; Ger Delaney, Master of Ceremonies, Maureen Harrington, Pat Duffy, Loreeta Cashin and Gerry O’Neill, South West Mayo Development Company, Tom Tiernan, President John King Association Ireland, Michael Burke, Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council, Minister Tony Killeen, Ann Reid Secretary John King Committee and Peter Hynes, County Manager. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Pictured at Ballinrobe Cornmarket at the John King Memorial Unveiling Ceremony L-R; Ger Deere, Mayor of Castlebar, Patrick Gorman, Carol Gorman and Enda Kenny TD. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2010.

Mr Tony Killeen TD, Minister for Defence was in Ballinrobe on Saturday (6 Sep 2010) to officiate at the unveiling of a memorial in honour of John King, a Mayo man who was awarded two Congressional medals of Honour for his service to the American Navy.

John King is only one of 19 men to be awarded two Congressional Medals of Honour.

The John King Association already exists in America and this is the first time the US marine is honoured in his native county. The seven-foot bronze statue at The Cornmarket was sculpted by the renowned sculpture Rick Lewis.

John King was born in Currabee, Ballinrobe in 1862. He emigrated to the United States as a young man and enlisted in the American Navy in 1893. He served 26 years in the Navy serving first on the USS Vicksburg and working subsequently in the boiler rooms of 13 different naval vessels. He was discharged in 1916 but was recalled in 1917 following the outbreak of World War One. He served two more years and received his final discharge in 1919.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony Minister Killeen said: "I am honoured to be here today to unveil the John King Memorial. It is a fitting tribute to honour such a remarkable man. John King received the Congressional Medal of Honour on two occasions. It is America's most important award to a person during their lifetime. His story is truly a fascinating one."

John King died in 1938 in the USA and is buried in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The US guided missile armed destroyer, the USS John King (DDG-3) named after him, was commissioned in 1961.

Minister Killeen paid tribute to all those involved in organising the ceremony for this great hero.