George LeRoy Irwin (April 26, 1868 – February 19, 1931) was a major general of the United States Army. Fort Irwin National Training Center is named in his honor.[1]
George LeRoy Irwin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 26, 1868 Fort Wayne (Detroit), Detroit, Michigan |
| Died | February 19, 1931 (aged 62) Trinidad |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1889–1931 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | 57th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Battles / wars | Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Cuban Pacification World War I |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Honor |
| Relations |
|
Early life
editIrwin was born on April 26, 1868, at Fort Wayne (Detroit) in Detroit, Michigan.[2] His parents were colonel (later Army Brigadier General) Bernard J. D. Irwin, a surgeon in the Army Medical Corps who received the Medal of Honor in the Apache Wars, and his wife Antoinette Elizabeth Stahl Irwin.
Career
editIrwin graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1889. He served in the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, Cuban Pacification and World War I.[3] Irwin graduated from the United States Army War College in 1910.[4]
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During World War I, Irwin, then a brigadier general, commanded the 57th Field Artillery Brigade of the 32nd Infantry Division[2][1] under the command of Major General William G. Haan. Irwin distinguished himself during the Second Battle of the Marne, Oise-Aisne Offensive and Meuse–Argonne offensive and received the Army Distinguished Service Medal.[3]
After the war, Irwin reverted to his permanent rank of colonel in 1919. He was promoted to brigadier general again in 1923 and then to major general in 1928.[4]
Personal life and family
editIrwin married Maria Elizabeth Barker on April 30, 1892.[3] Irwin's son, Stafford LeRoy Irwin, retired as a lieutenant general.[5]
Death and legacy
editIrwin died on February 19, 1931, on Trinidad.[6] The general and his wife were buried at the West Point Cemetery next to his parents.[7]
In 1942, the Mojave Anti-Aircraft Range (today: Fort Irwin National Training Center) was named in his honor.[8]
Decorations
edit| Army Distinguished Service Medal | |
| Spanish War Service Medal | |
| Philippine Campaign Medal | |
| Army of Cuban Pacification Medal | |
| World War I Victory Medal with 3 Battle Clasps | |
| Officer of the Legion of Honor |
Citation
edit
The citation for Irwin's Army Distinguished Service Medal reads:[2]
- General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 19 (1920)
- Action Date: World War I
- Name: George LeRoy Irwin
- Service: Army
- Rank: Brigadier General
- Company: Commanding General
- Regiment: 57th Field Artillery Brigade
- Division: 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces
- Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General George LeRoy Irwin, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. General Irwin Commanded with ability the 57th Field Artillery Brigade, 32d Division, during the Marne-Aisne, Oise-Aisne, and Meuse-Argonne offensives. At all times he displayed keen judgment, high military attainments, and loyal devotion to duty. The success of the Division whose advance he supported was due in a large measure to his eminent technical skill and ability as an artillerist.
References
edit- Official Homepage of the National Training Center Fort Irwin
- Militarytimes.com - Official Army Distinguished Service Medal Citation
- Notes
- ^ a b "Fort Irwin official websites - History". irwin.army.mil. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ a b c "Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ a b c Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 196. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151
- ^ a b Official Army Register. U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 1930. p. 329. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ "Class of 1915—Register of Graduates". Register of Graduates and Former Cadets 1802–1971 of the United States Military Academy. The West Point Alumni Foundation Inc. 1971. p. 337. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "West Point Deceased Search". apps.westpointaog.org. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ "Irwin, Maria Elizabeth". Army Cemeteries Explorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Fort Irwin In-depth Overview". Military Installations. U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 15 July 2022.