Biography
Irish-born U.S. Army soldier who defected before the Mexican-American War and founded the San Patricio Battalion (Batallón de San Patricio) — a unit of mostly Irish, German, and other Catholic U.S. Army defectors who fought for the Mexican Republic against U.S. invasion. Captured after the Battle of Churubusco in August 1847. Court-martialed; because his desertion technically pre-dated the formal declaration of war, he escaped the death sentence. Sentenced instead to 50 lashes, branding with the letter "D" on his cheek, and an iron yoke around his neck. Released by Mexico after the war and lived out his days in Veracruz.
