Bernard J. D. Irwin
| Bernard John Dowling Irwin | |
|---|---|
|
Bernard J. D. Irwin, Medal of Honor recipient | |
| Born |
June 24, 1830 County Roscommon, Ireland |
| Died |
December 15, 1917 (aged 87) Cobourg, Canada |
| Place of burial | West Point Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1856 - 1894 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars |
Apache Wars American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Bernard John Dowling Irwin (June 24, 1830 – December 15, 1917) was an assistant army surgeon during the Apache Wars and the first (chronologically by action) Medal of Honor recipient. His actions on February 13, 1861 are the earliest for which the Medal of Honor was awarded.
Irwin was also interested in natural history and while at Fort Buchanan, Arizona in 1858-1860 he collected reptile specimens for the Smithsonian Institution.[1] In 1857 Irwin donated a meteorite to the Smithsonian Institution that came to be known as the Irwin-Ainsa (Tucson) meteorite.[2]
A collection of his papers is held at the National Library of Medicine [3]
Early life
Irwin was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, and immigrated with his parents to the United States in the 1840s. He attended New York University from 1848 to 1849, and served as a Private in the New York Militia. In 1850 he entered Castleton Medical College, but later transferred to New York Medical College, where he graduated in 1852. He served as a surgeon and physician at the State Emigrant Hospital on Ward's Island until his appointment as an assistant surgeon to the US Army in 1856.
Cochise and the Army
Cochise, the Chiricahua Apache chief, and a group of Apache warriors had kidnapped a boy and a small group of U.S. soldiers in the Arizona Territory after the army had captured his brother and nephews. When the army refused to make a prisoner exchange, Cochise killed his prisoners with exception to the boy. The U.S. army then killed Cochise's brother and nephews. Second Lieutenant George Nicholas Bascom led a group of 60 men from the 7th Infantry after Cochise but was soon besieged, prompting a rescue mission by the army.
February 13–14, 1861
In response to the siege of Bascom and his men, Irwin set out on a rescue mission with 14 men of the 1st Dragoons. He was able to catch up with the Apaches at Apache Pass in present day Arizona. He strategically placed his small unit around Cochise and his men, tricking the Apache leader into thinking that Irwin had a much larger army with him. The Apaches fled and Bascom and his men were saved. Bascom and his men joined Irwin and together they were able to track Cochise into the mountains and rescued the young boy that Cochise had captured previously.
The Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor did not exist during this event. The medal was not established until 1862. However, the actions of Irwin were remembered and he was awarded the Medal of Honor just prior to his retirement on January 21, 1894.
Later military career
Irwin subsequently served with the Army during the American Civil War. He was promoted to Captain in August 1861, and the next year was appointed medical director under Major General William "Bull" Nelson. He was captured during the Battle of Richmond while attempting to save the wounded Nelson. He was promoted to Major in September 1862, and after his release the following month he became medical director in the Army of the Southwest. From 1863 to 1865, he was superintendent of the military hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and in March of the latter year was brevetted to the rank of colonel.
He was a companion of the California Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
After the war, Irwin served as a senior medical officer at several posts, including at West Point from 1873 to 1878. He received promotions to lieutenant colonel in September 1885 and to colonel in August 1890. He was retired shortly after his 64th birthday, and promoted to brigadier general on the retired list in April 1904.
Family
His son George LeRoy Irwin (graduated from West Point in 1889) served in World War I and became a Major General in the Army. His grandson Stafford LeRoy Irwin (graduated from West Point in 1915) served in World War II and became a Lieutenant General in the Army.
His daughter, Amy Irwin Addams McCormick, was a nurse with the red cross during WWI and married Robert R. McCormick in 1915.[4]
Awards
See also
References
- ↑ Mearns, Edgar A. (Jan 1902). "Correspondence: A Biographical and Autobiographical Letter" (PDF). Auk 19: 116–117. doi:10.2307/4069254. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ↑ McGough, P.J. (1943). "References on the Early History of the Tucson, Arizona Meteorites". Popular Astronomy 51: 563–567. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ↑ "Bernard John Dowling Irwin Papers ca.1850-19--". National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ http://www.cantigny.org/museums/mccormick/amy_mccormick/default.aspx
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