Bernard J. D. Irwin

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 had an interest in natural history and while at Fort Buchanan, Arizona, in 1858–1860 he collected reptile specimens for the Smithsonian Institution. In 1857 Irwin donated a meteorite to the Smithsonian Institution that came to be known as the Irwin-Ainsa (Tucson) meteorite.

A collection of his papers is held at the National Library of Medicine

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 he was appointed an assistant surgeon to the U.S. Army in 1856.

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor did not exist during the time of the Bascom Incident and would not be established until a year later in 1862. However, the actions of Irwin were remembered and he was awarded the Medal of Honor just before his retirement on January 24, 1894. Irwin's actions were the earliest for which the Medal of Honor was awarded, pre-dating the outbreak of the American Civil War.

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 improvised one of the first field hospitals used by the US Army at the Battle of Shiloh on April 7, 1862.

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 retired shortly after his 64th birthday and was 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 American Red Cross during World War I and married Robert R. McCormick in 1915.

Awards Medal of Honor Civil War Campaign Medal Indian Campaign Medal Spanish War Service Medal