Photos

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Honoring a Navy legacy…retired Chief Boatswain Mate Jerry Irvine was surprised with a shadow box by Naval Hospital Bremerton command leadership and Chief’s Mess – presented to him by Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Countryman - to honor his years of service, which included three tours in Vietnam and extensive duty during the Tet Offensive which started 55 years ago, January 31, 1968. Irvine was smack in the midst of the offensive which would drag on until September, launched by the North Vietnamese Army as a coordinated invasion of the south. He was mentioned prominently in numerous dispatches, received the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) and the Bronze Star, with Combat “V” for valor, for meritorious achievement in connection with operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force while serving in the Republic of Vietnam, from September 20, 1967, to September 18, 1968. With his health failing, Irvine passed away, March 26, 2017, at age 82. As an unofficial adopted son of NHB, he left a legacy for many who knew him (Official Navy photo by Douglas H Stutz, NHB/NMRTC Bremerton public affairs officer).