A precious war medal awarded to a fallen soldier of World War Two has had a poignant homecoming to Donegal, more than 80 years after it went missing in the US.
The Purple Heart medal was awarded posthumously to the late Hugh Farren of Malin Head.
Hugh Farren, a respected immigrant who made Boston his home, tragically lost his life at the age of 39 while serving as a fire officer in the US Navy. His ultimate sacrifice came during a devastating torpedo attack on the USS Liscome Bay in November, 1943.
It was the deadliest attack on any carrier in the history of the United States Navy.
Hugh’s Purple Heart medal was initially presented to his sister, Ellen, who also lived in Boston.
Purple Heart awarded to Navy petty officer Hugh Farren
This week, Ellen’s grandson Dennis Doherty had the honour of bringing the medal to Donegal after an incredible journey.
Dennis, from Detriot in Michigan, was keeping the medal safe since 2022 when it was miraculously found after 80 years missing.
Found in the apartment of a former firefighter who knew Farren, the medal’s journey to its rightful owner began. A worldwide search ensued, ultimately connecting the dots between the medal, Farren’s relatives in the US, and his ancestral home in Malin Head.
The search, which made world news headlines, reached Hugh Farren in Malin Head and Dennis Doherty in Michigan. Hugh, the owner of Farren’s bar, is Hugh’s grand-nephew and was named after the family’s lost brother.
The late Hugh Farren from Malin Head
Dennis, Hugh and the late Hugh’s extended descendants were presented with the Purple Heart in November 2022 by the Donegal Association of Greater Boston.
Hugh tells Donegal Daily that Dennis’ first ever visit to Inishowen this week has been a special one.
“It’s an emotional visit, Dennis’ grandmother would have got the medal and he always wanted it to come back to Farren’s, but he wanted to be the one to bring it back.
“Dennis was due to visit us just before the pandemic. We had found each other and he was all on the cards to come, but the medal spurred us on more. He’s not a stranger anymore.”
The Farren family with Dennis Doherty. L-R, Kevin, Celia, Dennis, Ali and Hugh
Between meeting cousins and seeing his grandparents’ homesteads, Dennis has been telling the story of his great-uncle to the many interested patrons of Farren’s bar.
“It’s not every day you have a connection to a World War Two hero,” says Hugh.
“We’ve had people coming to see the medal since Dennis arrived. I’d like to think he knows it’s coming to the right place.”
The Purple Heart will take pride of place in the pub alongside the US Flag for the Fallen. The unique display will serve as an opportunity to remember Hugh’s courage and ultimate sacrifice.
PO1 Farren was serving as a water tender on board the USS Liscome Bay when it was hit by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine.
As fire officer, Farren would have been attempting to extinguish the blaze while others were running from it. Ultimately, with the large amount of ammunition on board the carrier, the strike effectively created a bomb. Of the crewmen, 644 lost their lives and 272 survived.
A footbridge in Dorchester is named in honour of Hugh, who was also a highly-regarded member of the Donegal Association and helped other Irish immigrants find their feet in the city.
His namesake, Hugh, got the opportunity to visit the bridge during his visit stateside in 2022.
Hugh Farren at the footbridge named in honour of his grand-uncle
The return of the Purple Heart to Donegal marks the end of a remarkable chapter, while the legacy of Hugh Farren will live on forever in Farren’s.
Tags: