Owen B. Hill (Hq1) in a letter to Elizabeth Farrell said. “Martin Teahan was an above average paratrooper. He had a wonderful sense of humor, he was a great conversationalist, a loyal comrade, and he was liked by everyone.
Martin loved to sing Irish songs. He provided us with many hours of enjoyment just listening to him sing.
I have no idea why, but after more than 50 years, I can still recall most of the words to Martin’s favorite Irish song – the one he sang most frequently.
To commemorate his memory, I would like to include the words to that song, as I remember them. The song was about a man called ‘Phil the Fluter.’
Have you heard of Phil the Fluter from the town of Ballymuck?
Sure, the times were going hard with him; in fact, the man was bruck.
So he sent out invitations to his neighbors one and all, of how he would
like their gaiety, this evening at the ball.
But before sending the invitations, he was careful to suggest to them,
that if they found a hat convenient to the door, the more that they put into it,
the better would be the music.
The better would be the music.
The battering on the floor, with a root and a toot, and a diddle on the fiddle, walking all around and over to the wall.
Sure and hadn’t we the gaiety at Phil the Fluters Ball.
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Perhaps you know of an Irishman who can explain the song to you, or sing it with the brogue - and in the tune that only Martin could.
Martin Teahan earned:
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Bronze Star medal
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Purple Heart medal
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Parachutist Qualification badge with a star (combat jump)
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Combat Infantry Badge
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European African Middle Eastern Theatre of Operat-ions (ETO) medal with an Invasion Arrowhead and Battle star
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Presidential Unit Citation
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French Fourragere
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Numerous defense medals.
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