Career
Born in 1852 in Cobh (then known as Queenstown), Ireland, Regan immigrated to the United States and was living in New York City when he joined the United States. Navy. He served as an ordinary seaman on the United States Ship Pensacola. On the morning of July 30, 1873, Pensacola was in the harbor of Coquimbo, Chile, when a northerly gale began.
During the high winds, one of Regan"s crewmates, Ordinary Seaman Peter Linguist, fell into the water while trying to re-board the ship from a small boat.
When he resurfaced, his head struck the boat and he was knocked unconscious. Wearing heavy clothing and boots, Linguist quickly began to sink.
Regan witnessed the event from the ship"s gun deck and, when he realized the sailor was drowning, jumped through a porthole and rescued him. Serving on board the United States.S. Pensacola, Regan displayed gallant conduct in the harbor of Coquimbo, Chile, 30 July 1873.
