The ship was named for Rear Admiral Noble
Edward Irwin. Noble Irwin was born September 29, 1869 in Greenfield, Ohio. He was
appointed to the Naval Academy in 1887 and graduated with the class of 1891. During the
Spanish-American War, Lt. Irwin was wounded in action while serving on the USS Baltimore
- the only US officer wounded during the battle of Manila Bay in May, 1898. (Along
with six enlisted wounded, this constituted the entire casualties for Admiral Dewey's
Asiatic fleet.)
Admiral Irwin was a pioneer in Naval Aviation and received his wings during World War
I. He was the very first director of Naval Aviation and was awarded the Navy Cross and
made an officer of The Legion of Honor for training more than 2000 aviators. Later, he
commanded the battleship Oklahoma and the Destroyer Squadrons of the Scouting Fleet; then
became Chief of the Naval Mission to Brazil (1927-31). In March of 1931, Admiral Irwin
became Commandant of the 15th Naval District. He was transferred to the Retired List
October 1, 1933 and died August 10, 1937 in Warner Springs, California.
On October 31, 1943, hull number 794 of an updated Fletcher class destroyer slid down
the ways at the Bethlehem Steel Shipbuilding Corporation at Terminal Island, Long Beach,
California. Ship's sponsor was Mrs. Charles Lockwood, Jr., a daughter of Admiral
Irwin and wife of Vice Admiral Lockwood. Rigging and arming work began immediately. Three
months later, on February 14, 1944, the ship was commissioned under the command of
Commander Daniel B. Miller.
By March 3, 1944 the ship was in readiness for sea and proceeded to San Diego and
shakedown training. Following a crowded and intensive four week workout, the Irwin put in
to San Francisco for post shakedown availability. On April 27, the Irwin departed for
Pearl Harbor and the Pacific war. The Irwin continued training around Hawaii until May 26,
1944.
