George LeRoy Irwin


George LeRoy Irwin was a major general of the United States Army. Fort Irwin National Training Center is named in his honor.

Early life

Irwin was born on April 26, 1868 at Fort Wayne, Michigan. 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.

Career

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 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.

Personal life and family

Irwin married Elizabeth Barker on April 30, 1892. Irwin's son, Stafford LeRoy Irwin, retired as a lieutenant general.

Death and legacy

Irwin died on February 19, 1931 in Trinidad, West Indies.
In 1942, the Mojave Anti-Aircraft Range was named in his honor.

Decorations

Citation

The citation for Irwin's Army Distinguished Service Medal reads: