Bernard John Dowling Irwin

Bernard John Dowling Irwin

Bernard John Dowling Irwin ( June 24, 1830 - December 15, 1917 ) was a military doctor during the Apache Wars . On February 13, 1861, he carried out the first military action for which a Medal of Honor was awarded. However, the award was not presented until January 24, 1894.

Apache War

Chiricahua Apache chief Cochise and a group of Apache warriors kidnapped a boy and a small group of US soldiers in Arizona after the army captured Cochise's brother and nephew. When the army refused to exchange prisoners, Cochise killed all the prisoners except the boy. The US Army then killed Cochise's brother and nephews. Under the leadership of Second Lieutenant George N. Bascom, a group of men of the 7th US Infantry searched for Cochise. However, Bascom and his 60 soldiers were captured soon after.

In response to Bascom's capture, Irwin took on a rescue mission with 14 soldiers. On February 13, 1861, he tracked down the Apache at Apache Pass in what is now Arizona. He set up his small unit strategically around Cochise and his men and let the Indians believe that a much stronger force was on the ground. The Apaches fled, and Bascom and his men were saved. Bascom and his people teamed up with Irwin and pursued Cochise into the mountains. There they were able to free the boy whom Cochise had previously captured.

The Medal of Honor did not exist at the time. The medal was only launched in 1862. However, Colonel Irwin's rescue operation was remembered and the medal was awarded to him shortly before his retirement on January 21, 1894.

family

His son George LeRoy Irwin served as major general in the army during World War I. His grandson, Stafford LeRoy Irwin, also served as a general in the Army during World War II . His daughter, Amy Irwin Addams McCormick, was a Red Cross nurse during World War I and married Robert R. McCormick in 1915.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Congressional Medal Of Honor Society
2. ↑ Amy McCormick, Cantigny ( Memento of the original of December 13, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.