USS Irwin
DD 794

The Ship and Her History  

"For extremely meritorious service during salvage operations after the USS Princeton has been critically damaged by enemy Japanese action in the Battle off Samar, October 24, 1944. Undeterred by foul weather, fires raging on the flight and hanger decks of the stricken carrier and a series of violent internal explosions, the USS Irwin gallantly went alongside. Operating in a choppy sea as the wind steadily rose and rain reduced visibility, the Irwin rigged her hoses and, despite dense black smoke and the constant danger of falling debris, succeeded in directing them on fires in the forward part of the hanger deck. Later, when a terrific explosion blew off the major portion of the Princeton's stern, she immediately dispatched boats and stood by at close quarters to assist in the rescue of survivors, recovering 646 men from the sea and from the decks of the Princeton before this carrier was ordered to be sunk. Her high standards of loyalty and service as evidenced by the self-sacrificing devotion of duty of her officers and men reflect the highest credit upon the Irwin and the United States Naval service."