Spriley Edward Irby

Spriley Edward Irby’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

Please contact the Robb Centre for further clarification or questions regarding content or materials.

Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross: Posthumousy awarded

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 Private Spirley E. Irby (ASN: 2463011), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., at Beaume, France, 8 November 1918. Private Irby carried messages to the various units in his vicinity under severe enemy fire. He was badly wounded while in the performance of this duty.

Donate

Life & Service

  • Birth: 18 October 1894, Blackstone, VA, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: African American
  • Death: 17 December 1918 , France
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Corporal
  • Company: [H]
  • Infantry Regiment: 370th
  • Division: 93rd
Personal Narrative
Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education) Toggle Accordion

Spriley Edward Irby was born to Robert (1857-1942) and Emma Maddux (1860-1944) in Blackstone, Nottoway County, Virginia. In his youth, Spriley worked on his father’s farm in Lunenburg County.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Spriley enlisted in the United States Army in Blackstone, Virginia on October 30, 1917. Private Irby was hospitalized twice whilst at Camp Lee, once in December of 1917 with acute bronchitis, and again in February of 1918 with the mumps. Private Irby was appointed Corporal on December 12, 1917, but listed as a Private when his Replacement Company was shipped from Hoboken, New Jersey to Brest, France on the U.S. Army Transport Ship U.S.S. Finland, April 30, 1918. Irby was promoted to Sergeant on January 31, 1918, then demoted to Private, March 1918. Private Irby received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near Beaume, France on November 8, 1918:

“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 Private Spirley E. Irby (ASN: 2463011), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company H, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., at Beaume, France, 8 November 1918. Private Irby carried messages to the various units in his vicinity under severe enemy fire. He was badly wounded while in the performance of this duty”. W.D., G.O. No. 46, 1919.

Private Irby was shot in the left forearm between November 8, and November 9, 1918, and was operated on in a French hospital on November 10. Afterwards, he was shifted between several hospitals for recovery; by December, complications had arisen, and his left ulna and radius were removed. Private Irby died on December 17, 1918 at the American Red Cross Hospital #1 due to said complications in conjunction with bronchopneumonia.

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Spriley was buried in the AEF Cemetery #34 at Suresnes, Seine, Paris on December 19, 1918. His parents requested his remains be shipped to the United States in 1920, allowing for his reburial in Blackstone, Virginia in September of 1921.