Boston Logan International Airport is Named for Edward L. Logan, a Beloved Military Hero and Public Official from South Boston
Boston’s Edward L. Logan International Airport was named for General Edward L. Logan (1875-1939), a first generation Irish-American military leader, civic leader and municipal judge with family roots in Ballygar, Galway and South Boston.
Edward was the oldest of nine children of Lawrence and Catherine (O’Connor), according to the late Michael Cummings of Milton, an expert on the Logan Family. Edward’s father Lawrence immigrated to Boston from Ballygar, County Galway, in 1858, and became a successful businessman at a young age when he became president of the Boston Brewing Company in South Boston.
The family resided at 560 East Broadway in South Boston, and their home was a popular gathering place for family and friends.
In 1898, during his senior year at Harvard, Logan enlisted in the 9th Irish Regiment of Massachusetts when the Spanish American War broke out in Cuba, joining his father Lawrence, who was a Lieutenant Colonel in the regiment. Edward stayed stateside at Camp Dewey in Framingham, taking charge of reenlistment, when the regiment sailed to Cuba. The 9th suffered heavy casualties, and Edward's father Lawrence Logan nearly died of yellow fever, which claimed the life of his brother-in-law and Edward's uncle, Major Michael O'Connor.
In 1898, during his senior year at Harvard, Logan enlisted in the 9th Irish Regiment of Massachusetts when the Spanish American War broke out in Cuba, joining his father Lawrence, who was a Lieutenant Colonel in the regiment. Edward stayed stateside at Camp Dewey in Framingham, taking charge of reenlistment, when the regiment sailed to Cuba. The 9th suffered heavy casualties, and Edward's father Lawrence Logan nearly died of yellow fever, which claimed the life of his brother-in-law and Edward's uncle, Major Michael O'Connor.
Later, Logan commanded the 9th Massachusetts Infantry during summer 1916 along the Mexican border, according to records at Harvard.
Edward L. Logan
Edward continued in military service during World War I, serving 26 months as colonel of the 101st Infantry regiment of the 26th Yankee Division, which fought with distinction, earning a silver medal for gallantry. The 101st was the first state regiment to cross the ocean for France, leaving in August 1917, and it mustered out of service in May, 1919.
_(cropped).jpg)
Col Edward L Logan (left) and staff of 101st Infantry en route to front, March 1918
Elected to local offices, Edward served as a state representative and senator from South Boston. He made an unsuccessful run in 1906 for the Congressional 10th District, losing to Joe O'Connell, and was appointed a Justice of the South Boston Municipal Court in 1907. He was active in charitable programs such as the Home for Destitute Catholic Children, and a member of the the Harvard Catholic Club, Charitable Irish Society and the Clover Club.
In 1929 Pope Pius made him a Knight of the Order of Malta in recognition of his charitable work during his life.
Logan died suddenly in 1939 of "heart ailment" according to The Boston Globe. His brother Reverend Leo J. Logan presided over the funeral mass at the Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston, with tributes by leading politicians like Senator David I. Walsh, former Massachusetts Governor and Boston Mayor James M. Curley and former Mayor John F. Fitzgerald.
Logan died suddenly in 1939 of "heart ailment" according to The Boston Globe. His brother Reverend Leo J. Logan presided over the funeral mass at the Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston, with tributes by leading politicians like Senator David I. Walsh, former Massachusetts Governor and Boston Mayor James M. Curley and former Mayor John F. Fitzgerald.
He is buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Boston's Roslindale neighborhood.
Unveiling of Logan Statue on May 20, 1956
In 1943, the Massachusetts state legislature voting to approve a $4.75 million expansion of the East Boston airport, and state house lawmakers voted to officially name the new airport in honor of Edward L. Logan in 1956. The Edward L Logan statue was created by sculptor Joseph Coletti and unveiled at Logan Airport on May 20, 1956. His wife attended, along with his daughter Patricia, who unveiled the statue, and son Edward, Jr.
Research/writing, Michael Quinlin
Comments