R 271250 MAR 18

FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//VCG//

TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS//N05360//

ALCOAST 107/18

COMDTNOTE 5360

SUBJ: DEATH OF RETIRED FLAG OFFICER

A. USCG Regulations, COMDTINST M5000.3 (series)

1. It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Vice Admiral James C.

Irwin, USCG (retired), who passed away on Wednesday, 21 March 2018, in Phoenix, AZ,

at the age of 88.

2. By order of the Commandant and IAW REF (A), the National Ensign shall be flown

at half mast on all Coast Guard buildings, grounds, and vessels not underway from

sunrise until sunset on Thursday, 29 March 2018, in honor of VADM Irwin.

3. Born in Des Moines, Iowa on 07 June 1929, VADM Irwin graduated from the U.S.

Coast Guard Academy in 1953 after attending Drake University. VADM Irwin served as

Vice Commandant from 1986 to 1988 and as Commander, Atlantic Area and U.S. Maritime

Defense Zone Atlantic, until his retirement in 1989. After retiring, he was

recalled to Active Duty to serve as the first Commander of Joint Task Force Four

(the precursor to Joint Interagency Task Force South), charged with conducting

detection and monitoring of illicit maritime traffickers. His other flag

assignments were Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District and Chief, Office of Reserve

at Coast Guard Headquarters. Prior to promotion to Admiral, he served as the

Eighth District Chief of Staff and the Coast Guard Academy Commandant of Cadets.

He also commanded the cutters EAGLE, SPENCER, and YEATON as well as LORAN Station

Talampulan, Philippines. His military awards included the Coast Guard

Distinguished Service Medal, four Legion of Merit Medals, four Meritorious Service

Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals and the Commandant’s Letter of

Commendation. His full biography can be found here:

https://media.defense.gov/2018/Mar/23/2001893865/-1/-1/0/IRWINJC_BIO.PDF.

4. VADM Irwin’s interment service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of

Arizona, 20329 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ, on 29 March 2018, at 11:00 AM MST.

5. He is survived by his wife, LaVerne G. Irwin, their five children, nine

grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

6. ADM C. D. Michel, Vice Commandant, sends.

7. Internet release authorized.