George LeRoy Irwin

George LeRoy Irwin
Born	April 26, 1868 Fort Wayne, Michigan
Died	February 19, 1931 (aged 62) Trinidad, West Indies
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Major General
Commands held	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	BG Bernard J. D. Irwin (Father) LTG General Stafford L. Irwin (Son)

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]

Biography

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.

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.

During World War I, Irwin, then a brigadier general, commanded the 57th Field Artillery Brigade of the 32nd Infantry Division^[3][4] 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.

Irwin died on February 19, 1931 in Trinidad, West Indies.^[5]

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

Irwin's son, Stafford LeRoy Irwin, retired as a lieutenant general.

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:^[6]

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

• Official Homepage of the National Training Center Fort Irwin
• Militarytimes.com - Official Army Distinguished Service Medal Citation

References

1. "Fort Irwin official websites - History". irwin.army.mil. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
2. "Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
3. "Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
4. "Fort Irwin official websites - History". irwin.army.mil. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
5. "West Point Deceased Search". apps.westpointaog.org. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
6. "Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Retrieved 17 October 2014.