Date of birth:

July 30th, 1902 (Cincinnati/Ohio, United States)

Date of death:

May 16th, 1993

Buried on:

Arlington National Cemetery

Nationality:

American

James Albert Hirschfield was born July 30th, 1902 in Cincinnatti, Ohio, the son of Eli Albert Hirschfield and Katherine Devine Hirschfield. After school in San Antonio, he graduated from Main Avenue High School. During 1921 and 1922 he studied at Texas University. July 1922 he became a Cadet in the US Coast Guard. October 27th, 1924 he graduated from Coast Guard Academy. Hirschfield subsequently served aboard the destroyers U.S.S. Cummins, Henley, Wilkes, Downes, Fanning and U.S.S. Cassin. Following this, he served aboard the cutter U.S.S. Tallapoosa until 1931 and aboard the destroyer U.S.S. George E. Badger as Executive Officer. In 1932 he was put in command of U.S.S. Hermes in the Atlantic. From 1934 onwards, he served as instructor at Coast Guard Academy. Hirschfield took a course al George Washington University Law School when he was allocated to Headquarters in Washington. He graduated in 1939.
Subseqeuntly he served as Officer Commanding aboard the cutter U.S.S. Onodage in Astoria, on Maritime Training Ship City in Chattanooga and aboard the cutter U.S.S. Campbell.
As commander of the U.S.S. Campbell during WW 2, he served in Headquarters and in the 9th Coast Guard District. In 1951 he was appointed Chief Office Personnel and in 1952 Flag Officer in Charge of Reserve Affairs. June 1st, 1954 he was named Assistent Commander US Coast Guard. He retired February 1st, 1962 receiving a Distinguished Service Medal for his last posting.
James Albert Hirschfield passed away May 16th, 1993.

Promotions:
July 1922: Cadet;
October 17th, 1924: Ensign;
October 17th, 1926: Lieutenant (junior grade);
October 17th, 1928: Lieutenant;
Ocktober 17th, 1932: Lieutenant Commander;
August 17th, 1942: Commander;
December 11th, 1943: Captain;
June 1st, 1945: Commodore (downgraded to Captain op 12 februari 12th, 1948);
October 1st, 1951: Rear Admiral;
June 1st, 1960: Vice Admiral.

Career:
juli 1922: U.S. Coast Guard;
October 17th, 1924: graduation from Coast Guard Academy;
1924 - 1930: Destroyer Force, New London;
1930 - 1931: cutter Tallapoosa, Executive Officer U.S.S. George E. Badger;
1932: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Hermes;
1934: Instructor Coast Guard Academy;
?: Commanding Officer cutter U.S.S. Onondaga;
?: Commanding Officer Maritime Training Ship City of Chattanooga;
?: Commanding Officer cutter U.S.S. Campbell;
May 1943: Headquarters and 9th Coast Guard District;
1951: Chief, Office of Personnel;
1952: Flag Officer in Charge of Reserve Affairs;
June 1st, 1954: Assistant Commander U.S. Coast Guard;
February 1st, 1962: retirement.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Unit:

U.S.S. Campbell (WPG-32), Escort Group A-3, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

1943

"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. CAMPBELL (WPG-32) during action against an enemy submarine in the Atlantic War Area on 22 February 1943. Surprising the hostile undersea craft on the surface during escort operations, Commander Hirshfield, in a quick attempt to ram, collided with the vessel and destroyed it in a fierce attack by depth charges and point-blank fire. Although painfully wounded by flying shell splinters, he gallantly remained in command throughout the action and during the subsequent period while the Campbell was towed safely into port with several prisoners from the sunken submarine. Commander Hirshfield's inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of this vital mission and reflects great credit upon the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Received with a campaign star.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: US Coast Guard
• Photo: United States Coast Guard
  
• - Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
  - Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 317 (August 1943) & 332 (November 1944)
  - Arlington National Cemetery Website
  - United States Coast Guard
  - Military Times Hall of Valor
  

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