Bernard J. D. Irwin
Bernard J. D. Irwin (June 24, 1830 – December 15, 1917) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. He is notable for his actions during the Apache Wars in the mid-19th century.
Early Life[edit | edit source]
Bernard John Dowling Irwin was born in County Roscommon, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States and pursued a career in medicine, graduating from the New York Medical College in 1852.
Military Career[edit | edit source]
Irwin joined the United States Army as an assistant surgeon in 1856. He was assigned to the 1st Dragoons and stationed at Fort Buchanan, Arizona Territory.
Apache Wars[edit | edit source]
In February 1861, during the Apache Wars, Irwin volunteered to lead a rescue mission to save a group of soldiers who had been captured by the Apaches. Despite having no formal military training, Irwin and his small force managed to rescue the soldiers and recover stolen property. For his bravery, Irwin was later awarded the Medal of Honor, making him one of the first recipients of this prestigious award.
Later Life and Career[edit | edit source]
After his service in the Apache Wars, Irwin continued his military career, serving in various capacities during the American Civil War. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and later served as the Surgeon General of the United States Army from 1883 to 1888.
Death and Legacy[edit | edit source]
Bernard J. D. Irwin passed away on December 15, 1917, in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. He is buried in West Point Cemetery at the United States Military Academy.
Irwin's legacy is remembered for his bravery and contributions to military medicine. His actions during the Apache Wars set a precedent for future military medical personnel.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Bernard J. D. Irwin | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 24, 1830 County Roscommon, Ireland |
| Died | December 15, 1917 Cobourg, Ontario, Canada |
| Buried | West Point Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1856–1888 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 1st Dragoons |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
