Patrick J. Regan, pallbearer at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 An article  "Lore of the Legion" in the January, 2019 edition of of The American Legion magazine by editor Jeff Stoffer concerned the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921.

As reported in the artwork of the article, Medal of Honor recipients participated as honorary pallbearers at the dedication. Lt Patrick J. Regan of Middleboro was one of those honored. He recieved special orders dated October 17, 1921 from P.C. Harris, Adjutant General of the Army, which stated "You are officially designated by the Secretary of War to take part in ceremonies connected with the burial of the Unknown American at the National Cemetery, Arlington, VA on November 11, 1921. The travel orders for members of the Medal of Honor contingent instructed them to arrange their own transportation to Washington. In return the would receive.."5 and 1/2 cents per mile from place of residence to Washington, DC and ten dollars for your expenses." The orders also informed the men.."as hotel accomodations in Washington will be very scare, it is suggested, that if practical, you arrange with friends to accomodate you in private residences."

Patrick J. Regan was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in France during WW I. The offical description of his heroic actions are recorded below:

Wounded and with an empty pistol

Rank and Organization: Second Lieutenant, US Army, 115th Infantry, 29th Division.

Place and Date: Bois-de-Consenvoye, France, 8 October 1918. Entered service at Los Angeles, California, Born: Middlebor, MA. GO No 50 W.D. 1919"

"While leading his platoon against a strong enemy machinegun nest which had held up the advance of 2 companies, 2d Lt Regan divided his men into 3 groups, sending 1 group to either flank, and he himself attacking with an automatic rifle team from the front. Two of the killed outright, while 2nd Lt Regan and the third man were severly wounded, 2ndLt Regan dashed with an empty pistol into the machinegun nest, capturing 30 Austrian gunners and four machhineguns. This gallant deed permitted the companies to advance, avoiding terrific enemy fire. Despite his wounds, he continued to lead his platoon forward until ordered to the rear by his Commanding Officer." 

Statements attributed to Major Thomas McNicholas, Captain Henry C. Ruhl and 1stLt Robert Landstreet of the 115th Infantry, who witnessed Lt Regan's actions, resulted in his being nominated for the Medal of Honor. Their remarks are slightly different from the original citation..."Lieut. Regan, armed with an automatic pistol that was not loaded, and no cartridges in the magazine, shouted the command to ' Charge the nest' as though his platoon was behind him, whereas, in fact, he was alone, dashed with an empty pistol into the nest, capturing 30 Austrian gunners and 4 machine guns."

Born in 1882 in Taunton, Massachusetts, he listed his hometown as Middleboro in his military records. After enlisting on June 14, 1899, he served for 20 years including duty during the Phillipine Insurrection, part of the Boxer Rebellion, served in the Phillipines from 1903-1905. He was stationed at Alcaraz, a tour in Alaska, then Ft Sam Houston. a year at Texas City, Texas, then in Douglas, Arizona where he was involved in the Pancho Villa incidents. In 1917 he was sent to France with the early American Expeditionary Forces where he remained until wars end in 1918.

Among his many miltary awards, including the Medal of Honor, he earned the United Spanish War Veterans Medal, Cuban Occupation Medal, Mexican Service Medal, French Croix de Guerre and Legion d'Honneur, the Purple Heart and the WW I Victory Medal with battle clasps.

Middleboro's Veterans Council honors his memory in conjunction with the Simeon L. Nickerson American Legion Post 64. A living memorial, donated by the family of Robert Lessard, in the form of a blue spruce is dedicated to him in the Middleboro Veterans' Memorial Park. There is also a photo plaque hanging in the Middleboro Veterans Service Office.

Many thanks to Lt. Regan's grandson, Patrick of Plano, TX for sharing his many pages of research.