Irving Fish

Irving Andrews Fish (August 25, 1881 – April 22, 1948) was a lawyer and member of the Wisconsin National Guard and Major general in the United States Army during World War II. A veteran of World War I, Fish rose to the command of 32nd Infantry Division ("Red Arrow") in December 1938 and supervised division's pre-war training and preparation for combat deployment.

Fish was relieved of command in March 1942, because United States Army preferred Regular Army officer in command of combat division. He spent rest of the War in Washington, D.C., serving on staff positions in the United States War Department.

Biography Early career

Irving A. Fish was born on August 25, 1881, in Racine, Wisconsin; he was the son of John T. Fish and Eliza Sampson. His father was an attorney and Union veteran of the American Civil War, serving as a captain in the 13th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Irving graduated from the high school in Racine and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in summer of 1899. While at the university, he was a member of the Cadet Corps and enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard.

In January 1944, when Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson established the Secretary of War's Separation Board, Fish joined that board as a member under Major General William Bryden. Consisting of five general officers of the Regular Army and Reserves (MG Bryden; MG Fish; BG Nathaniel H. Egleston; BG Frank S. Clark; BG Edward A. Evans), the board acted on behalf of Secretary of War on matters pertaining to commissioned and warrant officers like separation and relief from active duty, retention on active duty in a limited service status after appearance before a reclassification board, certain cases involving disability, etc. For his service in Washington, he was decorated with the Army's Legion of Merit medal.

Retirement and death

Upon his retirement from the Army on October 10, 1945, Fish returned to Milwaukee, where he resumed his law practice with the law firm of Fish, Marshutz and Hoffman. He died suddenly on April 22, 1948, aged 66 and was buried at Mound Cemetery in his native Racine, Wisconsin. Fish was survived by his wife, Margaret, and a son, James.

Honors and awards

Here is the ribbon bar of Major general Fish:

1stRowLegion of MeritMexican Border Service MedalWorld War I Victory Medal with three battle clasps2ndRowAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalWorld War II Victory Medal