During World War II he was the commanding officer of the USCGC Campbell (WPG-32) during a battle with German U-boats, earning the Navy Cross.

He received his early education in San Antonio, Texas and graduated from Main Avenue High School.

[2] The German submarine U-606, a Type VIIC U-boat, under the command of Oberleutenant Hans-Heinrich Döhler, departed Brest, France on 4 January 1943 for a patrol in the North Atlantic.

The convoy was under the protection of Escort Group A-3, which consisted of a number of Coast Guard cutters, including USCGC Spencer (WPG-36) and the Campbell.

The crew dropped two depth charges as the submarine slid past, and the explosions lifted the U-boat nearly five feet.

"[2] The USCGC Campbell illuminated the U-boat with a spotlight and the gunners continued to fire into the submarine's conning tower and hull.

The British Tug Tenacity arrived nearly four days later and towed the crippled cutter 800 miles to St. John's Newfoundland.

He was awarded the Navy Cross for "Extraordinary Heroism and Distinguished Service" as commanding officer of USCGC Campbell.

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.

[2] After his retirement in 1962, Vice Admiral Hirshfield moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and then to Rancho Santa Fe, California, in 1970.