Medal of Honor Petition for Rochester Civil War Hero

But little do many realize that it is named for one of Rochester's finest Irishman - Colonel Patrick O'Rorke - a civil war hero.

"He is credited with saving the day of Little Round Top, a very strategic stop in that battle and thus changing the outlook of the Battle of Gettysburg and the outlook of the war," said Brian O'Connor, a board member of the Colonel O'Rorke Memorial Society.

Colonel O'Rorke was born in Ireland but immigrated to the United States as an infant.

He spent most of his life in Rochester.

School excellence propelled him to West Point.

"it was a time when Irish need not apply, they were the downtrodden of the time," said O'Connor

He graduated first in his class and fought with the Union Army.

But in 1863 he led the 140th New York Regiment onto the front lines during a key battle in Gettysburg.

He didn't make it out.

"When it came time at the hour of greatest need he led the charge courageously into the enemy troops," said Tom O'Connell, a board member of the Colonel O'Rorke Memorial Society.

Colonel O'Rorke was initially buried in Gettysburg.

His widow returned his body for burial in Rochester on Pinnacle Hill.

He was later reburied again in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery next to his mother and father.

Colonel O'Rorke was just 26-years old.

Now members of the Colonel O'Rorke Memorial Society will urge Congress to award him with the Congressional Medal of Honor.

They say local politicians are in support of the move.

They will make a plea at Saturday's St. Patrick's Day parade.

"He gave the supreme sacrifice to his country, his adopted country. So what a perfect time to do that than on St. Patrick's Day," said O'Connor.

They will need 25,000 petition signatures and plenty of support.

If you want to sign the petition you can go to their website here.