Irving Joseph Superfine was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 5, 1915, son of Joseph Harry and Marie (Abrams) Superfine. He attended Central High School, South Bend, Indiana, and the University of Notre Dame, also located in South Bend, prior to entering the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on appointment from the State of Indiana in 1934.

Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 2,, 1938, he advanced progressively in rank to that of Captain, to date from July 1, 1957. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1938, he joined the USS COLORADO and in May 1939 transferred to the USS REUBEN JAMES. Detached from that destroyer in September 1940 he had duty with the Navy Battalion at the New York City World's Fair until November 1940. He next assisted in the fitting out of the USS GRAYSON at the Navy Shipyard, Charleston, South Carolina. He was assigned to that destroyer when she was placed in commission, February 14, 1941, and served as First Lieutenant, Navigator and Executive Officer until June 1943. "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving aboard ... (that vessel) during salvage operations in the Solomon Islands vicinity in October 1942..." he was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation further states in part: "Acting as Officer in Charge of a salvage crew, Lieutenant Super fine, with his limited personnel, daringly boarded an abandoned vessel, in an active combat area in order to obtain strategic material. After working tirelessly over a period of several days, under most difficult and trying conditions, he brought out his ship and a barge containing a valuable cargo of bombs and aviation gasoline, dropping anchor safely after a four hundred mile passage in spite of enemy observation and attack..."

From June 1943 he had duty in connection with fitting out the USS INGERSOLL at the Naval Shipyard, Boston, Massachusetts. He reported on board that destroyer upon her commissioning, August 31, 1943, and served as Combat Information Center Evaluator, Executive Officer, and Navigator. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and cited as fol lows: "For meritorious achievement as Executive Officer and Combat Information Evaluator of the USS INGERSOLL during action against enemy Japanese Forces, from January 15 to December 2, 1944.

Training the officers and men of his command and perfecting the organization of the combat information center, (he) contributed greatly to the battle efficiency of the ship throughout this period. Skillfully directing rescue operations on various occasions he succeeded in saving the lives of many men... 11 During January and February 1945 he attended the Prospective Commanding Officers School, Destroyer Force, Pacific, and upon completing the course assumed command of the USS COGHLAN.

In December 1946, he next served in the Office of Naval Intelligence, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D. C. He remained there until September 1949, then was assigned as Operations Officer, Evaluator and Acting Executive Officer of the USS SPOKANE. In March 1950 he transferred to the USS TACONIC and served as Executive Officer of that vessel until January 1951. Ordered next to the USS WISCONSIN., he saw action during the Korean hostilities and received a Letter of Commendation, with authorization to wear the Commendation Ribbon and Combat 'IV, from the Commander SEVENTH Fleet. The citation follows in part: "For meritorious service as Operations Officer of the USS WISCONSIN during combat operations against North Korean and Chinese Comn=ist forces in the Korean area from November 21J. 1951 to March 30, 1952. Discharging his many responsibilities as Operations Officer., Cormnander Superfine displayed outstanding leadership., mature judgment and keen foresight in planning the many gun strikes successfully executed by the ship. Thoroughly understanding the many complex problems involved in combat operations of a battleship, he showed unusual ability in furnishing vital information to the many gun stations which inflicted heavy damage to enemy installations..."

In April 1952 he became Executive Officer of the Naval Ordnance Plant, Forest Park, Illinois., and in October 1954 joined the Staff of Commander Transport Amphibious Sqaudron FOUR as Chief Staff Officer., Operations and Plans Officer. He continued to serve in that assignment until May 1956, when he assumed command of the USS ENGLISH. In July 1957 he reported as Director of the Enlisted Performance Division in the Bureau of Naval Personnel., Navy Department. Instruction at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces., Washington,, D. C., from August 1960 to June 1961, was followed by a year in command of the USS VULCAN (AR-5). Under orders of April 2, 1962, he later became Commander Naval Beach Group TWO, and in May 1965 was designated Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Naval Forces, Philippines.

In addition to the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and the Commendation Ribbon also with "V" Captain Superfine has the American Defense service Medal ; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with two silver stars and two bronze stars (twelve engagements); World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occuapation Service Medal, Asia Clasp; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. He also has the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. His official home address is South Bend, Indiana. He is married to the former Marjorie Elizabeth Cote of New York., and they have two daughters, Carol Ann and Susan Marie Superfine.