South George Gordon Meade – commanding general of the Army of the Potomac who led the Union forces to victory at Gettysburg in 1863 Thomas Francis Meagher – United States Army general, Fenian Richard Montgomery – Continental Army general Audie Murphy – most decorated combat soldier of World War II Lt. Michael Patrick Murphy – Navy Seal, Medal of Honour Timothy Murphy – marksman, Continental Army; parents were Irish immigrants Thomas Macdonough, Jr. 19th-century Irish-American naval officer Jeremiah O'Brien – captain in Continental Navy Joseph T. O'Callaghan – Medal of Honour John O'Neill – United States Army general, Fenian John P. O'Neill – high ranking anti-terrorism expert Molly Pitcher – Revolutionary War heroine John Reynolds – general commanding the right wing of the Army of the Potomac who surprised Lee and committed the Union Army to battle at Gettysburg in July 1863; killed in the front lines while personally rallying troops for counterattacks during the first day of fighting Philip Sheridan – United States Army, General of the Army, Cavalry John Fitzgerald established the first catholic church of Virginia and Aide-De-Camp to George Washington George Crawford Platt - Irish Immigrant, served during Civil War, Medal of Honor recipient. Musicians Politicians Presidents At least 22 presidents of the United States have some Irish ancestral origins, although the extent of this varies. For instance, President Clinton claims Irish ancestry despite there being no documentation of any of his ancestors coming from Ireland, but Kennedy on the other hand has strong documented Irish origins. Also Ronald Reagan's great-grandfather was an Irish Roman Catholic, and his mother had some Scots-Irish ancestry. James K. Polk also had Scots-Irish Ancestry. Kennedy and Joe Biden were raised as practicing Catholics. Andrew Jackson (Scotch-Irish and English) 7th President 1829–37: He was born in the predominantly Ulster-Scots Waxhaws area of South Carolina two years after his parents left Boneybefore, near Carrickfergus in County Antrim. A heritage centre in the village pays tribute to the legacy of 'Old Hickory', the People's President. Andrew Jackson then moved to Tennessee, where he served as Governor James Knox Polk (Scotch-Irish) 11th President, 1845–49: His ancestors were among the first Ulster-Scots settlers, emigrating from Coleraine in 1680 to become a powerful political family in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He moved to Tennessee and became its governor before winning the presidency. James Buchanan (Scotch-Irish) 15th President, 1857–61: Born in a log cabin (which has been