THE ROUGH RIDERS: Even before the U. S. declared war on Spain in 1898, Theodore ROOSEVELT (a descendent of Irish immigrants from Meath and Antrim) established the first U. S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. Known popularly as the "Rough Riders," it was comprised of approximately a thousand men recruited from the ranks of businessmen, college athletes, cowboys, etc. The "Rough Riders" left for Cuba and fought in the decisive battle known as San Juan Hill (which actually took place on nearby Kettle Hill). Their gallant charge up the hill earned the regiment, and its most famous member, popular adulation. One of those who did not come home to cheers was Colonel William "Bucky" O'NEILL. Born to Irish immigrant parents in St. Louis, MO, O'Neill played a key role in forming the famous "Rough Riders" and accompanied them to Cuba in the spring of 1898. At the battle of San Juan (Kettle) Hill, O'Neill was killed by a sharpshooter. His family buried him in Arlington National Cemetery, and a number of years later a statue was dedicated to him in the plaza of City Hall in Prescott, AZ.