USCGC Ingham (WPG/WAGC/WHEC-35) is one of only two preserved Treasury-class United States Coast Guard Cutters. Originally Samuel D. Ingham, she was the fourth cutter to be named for Treasury Secretary Samuel D. Ingham. She was the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet and was the only cutter to ever be awarded two Presidential Unit Citations.

Contents

1 History 1934–1988

1.1 Convoys escorted

1.2 Post-war service

2 Museum Ship and Memorial

3 Awards

4 Gallery

5 References

6 External links

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 on 3 June 1936, along with her sisters William J. Duane, Roger B. Taney and the George W. Campbell". Ingham was christened by Ms. Katherine Ingham Brush on that date and the new cutter was formally commissioned on 12 September 1936.

Ingham at U.S. Navy Yard, S.C., 11 Oct 1944

Ingham served with distinction during World War II on convoy duty. Protecting ships ferrying vital supplies to Britain, Ingham battled stormy weather, German U-boats, and enemy aircraft. On 15 December 1942, during one crossing, Ingham engaged and sank the enemy submarine U-626.[3] After 1944, Ingham served as an amphibious flagship and she would later take part in three 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 10–19 Dec 1941[4] from Newfoundland to Iceland

ON 49 27 Dec 1941-5 Jan 1942[5] from Iceland to Newfoundland

HX 171 22–30 Jan 1942[4] from Newfoundland to Iceland

ON 63 7–13 Feb 1942[5] from Iceland to Newfoundland

HX 177 MOEF group A2 1–8 March 1942[4] from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland

ON 77 MOEF group A2 18–26 March 1942[5] from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland

HX 190 MOEF group A3 20–27 May 1942[4] from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland

ON 102 MOEF group A3 10–17 June 1942[5] from Northern Ireland to Iceland

ON 116 25–29 July 1942[5] Iceland shuttle

SC 93 29 July 1942[6] Iceland shuttle

ON 117 31 July-3 Aug 1942[5] Iceland shuttle

ON 124 24–27 Aug 1942[5] Iceland shuttle

SC 97 29 Aug-1 Sep 1942[6] Iceland shuttle

ON 132 21–24 Sep 1942[5] Iceland shuttle

SC 101 28–30 Sep 1942[6] Iceland shuttle

ON 136 5–9 Oct 1942[5] Iceland shuttle

SC 103 10 Oct 1942[6] Iceland shuttle

Convoy SC 107 5–7 Nov 1942[6] Iceland shuttle

ON 144 8–15 Nov 1942[5] Iceland shuttle

ON 152 11–15 Dec 1942[5] Iceland shuttle

SC 112 16–21 Dec 1942[6] Iceland shuttle

ON 160 14–21 Jan 1943[5] Iceland shuttle

HX 223 23–27 Jan 1943[4] Iceland shuttle

ON 175 4 Feb 1943[5] Iceland shuttle

Convoy SC 118 5–9 Feb 1943[6] Iceland shuttle

Convoy SC 121 9–11 March 1943[6] Iceland shuttle

Convoys HX 229/SC 122 19–21 March 1943[6] Iceland shuttle

Post-war service

In August 1966, Ingham rescued lone sailor William Willis off the US eastern seabord, landing him at the Argentia Coast Guard station.[7]

Ingham in 1953

USCGC Ingham Logbook July 1968

USCG Ingham Logbook August 1968

Ingham earned two Presidential Unit Citations for her service in Operation SEA LORDS and Operation SWIFT RAIDER during the Vietnam War on a deployment from 3 August 1968 to 28 February 1969.

On completion of her deployment to Vietnam, Ingham 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 USS Constitution in Boston, Massachusetts.[2]

Museum Ship and Memorial

Ingham at Patriots Point in 1990

Acquired by Patriot's Point (located near Charleston, South Carolina) in 1989, Ingham was displayed along with the aircraft carrier Yorktown, the destroyer Laffey, and the submarine Clamagore until 20 August 2009.

On 20 August 2009 Ingham was towed to the Coast Guard piers in North Charleston, South Carolina for minor repairs and to await dry docking. She underwent a short dry docking period at Detyen's Shipyard in North Charleston and was then towed to Key West, Florida arriving there on 24 November 2009. She is now a member of Key West Maritime Memorial Museum.[8][9]

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.[10] Ingham was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992.[2][11]

Awards

Ribbons and Medals painted on in January 2010.

Presidential Unit Citation – 2 awards

Coast Guard Unit Commendation - 2 awards with "O" device [12]

Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation – 2 awards

Coast Guard E Ribbon – 3 awards

China Service Medal

American Defense Service Medal with "A" device

American Campaign Medal with one battle star

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two battle stars

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars

World War II Victory Medal

National Defense Service Medal with star

Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars

Humanitarian Service Medal

Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal