George LeRoy Irwin

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(1868-04-26)April 26, 1868
Fort Wayne, Michigan
DiedFebruary 19, 1931(1931-02-19) (aged 62)
Trinidad, West Indies
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Major General
Commands held57th Field Artillery Brigade
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
Philippine–American War
Cuban Pacification
World War I
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Legion of Honor
Relations

Early life

Irwin was born on April 26, 1868 at Fort Wayne, Michigan.[2] His parents were 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

Irwin 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]

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]

Personal life and family

Irwin married Elizabeth Barker on April 30, 1892.[3] Irwin's son, Stafford LeRoy Irwin, retired as a lieutenant general.

Death and legacy

Irwin died on February 19, 1931 in Trinidad, West Indies.[4]

In 1942, the Mojave Anti-Aircraft Range (today: Fort Irwin National Training Center) was named in his honor.

Decorations
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

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
Notes
  1. "Fort Irwin official websites - History". irwin.army.mil. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  2. "Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 196. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151
  4. "West Point Deceased Search". apps.westpointaog.org. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
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