Bernard John Dowling Irwin
(June 24, 1830 – December 15, 1917)

U.S. Army assistant surgeon Bernard John Dowling "J.D." Irwin
rescued a kidnapped boy and 60 soldiers encircled by legendary
Apache warrior Cochise on this day in history, Feb. 13, 1861.

Irwin’s heroic volunteer effort under dire circumstances in the
Arizona Territory has gone down in American military lore as
the first Congressional Medal of Honor action.

It took place before the award even existed.

The Cochise Stronghold in Arizona.