Irvin Alexander
Colonel, U.S. Army

Irvin Alexander was born on 5 November 1896 in Heltonville, IN. He entered Indiana University in 1915 and later enlisted in Company I, 1st Indiana Infantry, of the Indiana National Guard.

After the Federalization of the Indiana National Guard, in the early summer of 1916 he was sent to Llano Grande, TX. He was later transferred to Machine Gun Company, 1st Indiana Infantry. He was promoted to Corporal and later assigned to the staff of General Edward M. Lewis, who recommended him for a competitive examination for entry into the U.S. Military Academy from the National Guard. He qualified for the appointment to the Academy with the Class of 1921. However, due to World War I, his class was graduated early, in 1918, and sent to Europe just as the war ended. Following the Armistice, the class returned to West Point and was graduated again in 1919.

After many years of service, Alexander was assigned to the Philippine Army as an Advisor under General Douglas MacArthur.

On 27 January 1942, then-Lieutenant Colonel Irvin Alexander was serving with the Quartermaster Corps, Philippine Scouts in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

On that day, LTC Alexander was in action against enemy forces near Agloloma Bay, Bataan, Philippine Islands. LTC Alexander, then on duty with the 1st Regiment, Philippine Constabulary, was involved in an attack to expel an enemy landing party near Agloloma Bay. Learning that a company commander had been wounded and that the company was without an officer, he went forward to assume command. Upon arrival, finding the unit disorganized, he organized the company and led it forward, under heavy fire, to within 35 yards of the enemy positions. Despite the heaviest fire being concentrated in his vicinity, he continued to expose himself as he encouraged and calmed his men. Although severely wounded in the hand and chest, LTC Alexander displayed inspiring leadership until he collapsed from shock and fatigue. LTC Alexander's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 6 May 1942, after the fall of the Philippines, LTC Alexander was captured by the Japanese and held as a Prisoner of War until he was returned to U.S. Military control at the end of hostilities in 1945. During that time he survived the Bataan Death March.

He was later transported by way of Formosa, Japan, and eventually to Korea when the war ended in 1945. Alexander survived the sinking of two Japanese ships during his transport as a prisoner: The Oryoku Maru on 15 December 1944; and the Enorua Maru, on 9 January 1945, while en route to Japan.

After his release by the Japanese, he was hospitalized. Later, he was assigned as Advisor to the Adjutant General of Indiana. However, due to health reasons, he retired from the Regular Army as a Colonel in 1950.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Prisoner of War Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
World War I Victory Medal
American Defense Service Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Irvin Alexander (ASN: 0-12414), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Quartermaster Corps, Philippine Scouts, in action against enemy forces on 27 January 1942, near Agloloma Bay, Bataan, Philippine Islands. During an attack to expel an enemy landing party near Agloloma Bay, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, then on duty with the 1st Regiment, Philippine Constabulary, learning that a company commander had been wounded and that the company was without an officer, went forward to assume command in person. On arrival, he found the unit disorganized and by setting a personal example of courage, pushed the company forward in the face of heavy fire to within thirty-five yards of the enemy positions. In spite of the concentration of the heaviest fire in his vicinity he continued to expose himself, encouraging and steadying his men, although severely wounded in the hand and struck in the chest, continuing to display courageous leadership until he collapsed from shock and fatigue. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the Philippine Scouts, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 16 (1942)

Death and Burial

Colonel Irvin Alexander died on Christmas morning, 25 December 1963 in San Antonio, TX, before leaving on a trip to Mexico with his wife. He is buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Bexar County, TX, in Section B, Site 9-B.