USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) , one of only two preserved s. Originally Samuel D. Ingham, she was the fourth cutter to be named for Treasury Secretary Samuel D. Ingham

Samuel D. Ingham

Samuel Delucenna Ingham was a U.S. Congressman and U.S. Treasury Secretary under President Andrew Jackson.-Early life and education:...

. She was the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet and was the only cutter to ever be awarded two Presidential Unit Citations

Presidential Unit Citation (US)

The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941...

.

History 1934-1988

Ingham was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard The Treasury Department awarded her contract on 30 January 1934. Her keel was laid on 1 May 1935 and she was launched

Ship naming and launching

The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...

 on 3 June 1936 along with her sisters William J. Duane

USCGC Duane (WPG-33)

The USCG Cutter Duane was a cutter in the United States Coast Guard. Her keel was laid on May 1, 1935 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...

 and Roger B. Taney

USCGC Taney (WHEC-37)

USCGC Taney is a United States Coast Guard High Endurance Cutter, notable as the last ship floating that fought in the attack on Pearl Harbor, although she was actually moored in nearby Honolulu Harbor not Pearl Harbor itself. She was named for Roger B...

. Ingham was christened by Ms. Katherine Ingham Brush on that date and the new cutter was formally commissioned on 12 September 1936.

Ingham served with distinction during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 on convoy duty. Protecting ships ferrying vital supplies to Britain, Ingham battled stormy weather, German U-Boats

U-boat

U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...

, and enemy aircraft. On 15 December 1942, during one crossing, Ingham engaged and sank the enemy submarine U-626

German submarine U-626

German submarine U-626 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. The ship was built by Blohm & Voss of Hamburg, and commissioned in May 1942. She was assigned to the 5th U-boat Flotilla for basic training, and upon completion was permanently assigned to the 6th U-boat...

. After 1944, Ingham served as an amphibious flagship and she would later take part in six campaigns in the Pacific Theater. Ingham was the last active warship in the US fleet with a U-Boat kill.

Convoys escorted

Convoy	Escort Group	Dates	Notes
HX 164 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom...		10-19 Dec 1941	from Newfoundland to Iceland Iceland Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ON 49 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		27 Dec 1941-5 Jan 1942	from Iceland to Newfoundland
HX 171 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom...		22-30 Jan 1942	from Newfoundland to Iceland
ON 63 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		7-13 Feb 1942	from Iceland to Newfoundland
HX 177 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom...	MOEF group A2 Mid-Ocean Escort Force Mid-Ocean Escort Force referred to the organization of anti-submarine escorts for World War II trade convoys between Canada and the British Isles...	1-8 March 1942	from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
ON 77 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...	MOEF group A2	18-26 March 1942	from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
HX 190 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom...	MOEF group A3 Mid-Ocean Escort Force Mid-Ocean Escort Force referred to the organization of anti-submarine escorts for World War II trade convoys between Canada and the British Isles...	20-27 May 1942	from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 102 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...	MOEF group A3	10-17 June 1942	from Northern Ireland to Iceland
ON 116 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		25-29 July 1942	Iceland shuttle
SC 93 SC convoys The SC convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys that ran during the battle of the Atlantic during World War II.They were east-bound slow convoys originating in Sydney, Cape Breton ; from there they sailed to ports in the UK, mainly Liverpool.For a time after the entry of the...		29 July 1942	Iceland shuttle
ON 117 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		31 July-3 Aug 1942	Iceland shuttle
ON 124 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		24-27 Aug 1942	Iceland shuttle
SC 97 SC convoys The SC convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys that ran during the battle of the Atlantic during World War II.They were east-bound slow convoys originating in Sydney, Cape Breton ; from there they sailed to ports in the UK, mainly Liverpool.For a time after the entry of the...		29 Aug-1 Sept 1942	Iceland shuttle
ON 132 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		21-24 Sept 1942	Iceland shuttle
SC 101 SC convoys The SC convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys that ran during the battle of the Atlantic during World War II.They were east-bound slow convoys originating in Sydney, Cape Breton ; from there they sailed to ports in the UK, mainly Liverpool.For a time after the entry of the...		28-30 Sept 1942	Iceland shuttle
ON 136 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		5-9 Oct 1942	Iceland shuttle
SC 103 SC convoys The SC convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys that ran during the battle of the Atlantic during World War II.They were east-bound slow convoys originating in Sydney, Cape Breton ; from there they sailed to ports in the UK, mainly Liverpool.For a time after the entry of the...		10 Oct 1942	Iceland shuttle
Convoy SC 107		5-7 Nov 1942	Iceland shuttle
ON 144 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		8-15 Nov 1942	Iceland shuttle
ON 152 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		11-15 Dec 1942	Iceland shuttle
SC 112 SC convoys The SC convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys that ran during the battle of the Atlantic during World War II.They were east-bound slow convoys originating in Sydney, Cape Breton ; from there they sailed to ports in the UK, mainly Liverpool.For a time after the entry of the...		16-21 Dec 1942	Iceland shuttle
ON 160 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		14-21 Jan 1943	Iceland shuttle
HX 223 HX convoys The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom...		23-27 Jan 1943	Iceland shuttle
ON 175 ON convoys The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...		4 Feb 1943	Iceland shuttle
Convoy SC 118 Convoy SC 118 Convoy SC-118 was the 118th of the numbered series of World War II Slow Convoys of merchant ships from Sydney, Cape Breton Island to Liverpool.-Prelude:...		5-9 Feb 1943	Iceland shuttle
Convoy SC 121		9-11 March 1943	Iceland shuttle
Convoys HX 229/SC 122		19-21 March 1943	Iceland shuttle

Ingham earned two Presidential Unit Citation for her service during the 1959-1975 Vietnam War

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...

.

After the war the cutter returned to regular Coast Guard duties, serving until 1988, when she was decommissioned. At that time, Ingham "was the SECOND oldest commissioned U.S. warship afloat, second only to in Boston, MA".

Museum Ship and Memorial

Acquired by Patriot's Point

Patriot's Point

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, at the mouth of the Cooper River on the Charleston Harbor, across from Charleston.-Museum ships and exhibits:...

 in 1989, Ingham was displayed along with the aircraft carrier Yorktown

USS Yorktown (CV-10)

USS Yorktown is one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. She is named after the Battle of Yorktown of the American Revolutionary War, and is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name...

, the destroyer Laffey

USS Laffey (DD-724)

USS Laffey , an , was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for Bartlett Laffey. Seaman Laffey was awarded the Medal of Honor for his stand against Confederate forces on 5 March 1864...

, and the submarine Clamagore

USS Clamagore (SS-343)

USS Clamagore was a Balao-class submarine of the United States Navy, built in 1945 and still in training when World War II ended. It was named for the clamagore or blue parrotfish Scarus coeruleus found in the West Indies and along the Atlantic coast as far north as Maryland.Clamagore was built...

 until August 20, 2009.

On August 20, 2009 Ingham was towed to the Coast Guard piers in North Charleston, SC for minor repairs and to await dry docking. It underwent a short dry docking period at Detyen's Shipyard in North Charleston, SC. It was then towed to Key West

Key West

Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about from Cuba....

, FL arriving there on 24 November 2009.
She is now a member of Key West Maritime Memorial Museum.

The Commandant of the Coast Guard has declared Ingham the National Memorial to Coast Guardsmen Killed in Action In World War II and Vietnam. These 912 casualties are identified on a memorial plaque on Ingham's quarterdeck.
USCGC Ingham was declared a National Historic Landmark

National Historic Landmark

A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...

 in 1992..

Awards

• 2 Presidential Unit Citations
• 1 American Campaign Medal
  American Campaign Medal
  The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
  
  
• 1 American Defense Service Medal
  American Defense Service Medal
  The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...
  
  
• 5 European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
  European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
  The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
  
  s
• 5 Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
  Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
  The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...
  
  s
• 3 Philippine Liberation Ribbons
• 1 Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
• 1 WWII Victory Medal
• 1 China Service Medal
  China Service Medal
  The China Service Medal was a military medal awarded to U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. The medal was instituted on August 23, 1940 and featured a yellow ribbon with narrow red edge stripes...
  
  
• 1 Navy Occupation Service Medal
  Navy Occupation Service Medal
  The Navy Occupation Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy which was issued to Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel who participated in the European and Asian occupation forces following the close of the World War II. The decoration was also bestowed to personnel who...
  
  
• 2 National Defense Service Medal
  National Defense Service Medal
  The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
  
  s
• 4 Vietnam Service Medal
  Vietnam Service Medal
  The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
  
  s
• 1 Humanitarian Service Medal
  Humanitarian Service Medal
  The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under...
  
  
• 1 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
• 1 Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
• 1 Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation with Gallantry Cross with Palm
• 1 Coast Guard Unit Commendation
  Coast Guard Unit Commendation
  The Coast Guard Unit Commendation is the highest peacetime unit award that may be awarded to military commands of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was first created in 1963 and is presented to members of any Coast Guard unit that distinguishes itself by valorous or extremely...
  
  
• 2 Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations
• 1 Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
  Special Operations Service Ribbon
  The Special Operations Service Ribbon is a decoration of the United States Coast Guard which was first created in July 1987 by order of Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Paul A. Yost Jr. The decoration is authorized for certain acts of non-combat meritorious service, performed in the service...
  
  

External links

• http://www.uscgcingham.org
• uscg.mil: USCGC Ingham
• HNSA Web Page: USCGC Ingham
• Inghams' website