First Medal of Honor recipient
to visit the American Civil War Museum, an amazing collection of artifacts and stories!
I was struck by a display about an "Irish-born physician (who) organized the first field hospital at the Battle of Shiloh," Dr. Bernard John Dowling Irwin. At right is a photo taken at the exhibit. My curiosity led me to dig a little further into his history.
Born in County Roscommon in 1830, Bernard J. D. Irwin immigrated to the U.S. as a child with his parents. After graduating from medical college, he became an assistant surgeon with the U.S. Army in 1856 and served commendably through the Civil War and beyond.
A significant fact was not evident in the museum's display. Dr. Irwin is credited as the first recipient of the Medal of Honor:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Assistant Surgeon Bernard John Dowling Irwin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on February 13 & 14, 1861, while serving with 7th U.S. Infantry, in action at Apache Pass, Arizona Territory. Assistant Surgeon Irwin voluntarily took command of troops and attacked and defeated hostile Indians he met on the way. Surgeon Irwin volunteered to go to the rescue of Second Lieutenant George N. Bascom, 7th Infantry, who with 60 men was trapped by Chiricahua Apaches under Cochise. Irwin and 14 men, not having horses began the 100-mile march riding mules. After fighting and capturing Indians, recovering stolen horses and cattle, he reached Bascom's column and help break his siege.
Though his Army Medal of Honor was not presented until 1894, Dr. Irwin's leadership on February 13-14, 1861--a year before the MOH was created--was the first Medal of Honor action in history.
Read more at the Congressional Medal of Honor website.
