Joe McDonald Ingraham
Encyclopedia
Joe McDonald Ingraham was a United States federal judge
. He is best known as being the judge who sentenced the then World Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Ali to the maximum 5 year sentence available for refusing to fight in the unpopular Vietnam War
.
Born in Pawnee County, Oklahoma
, Ingraham received an LL.B. from National University Law School, Washington, D.C., in 1927. He was then in private practice in Stroud, Oklahoma
until 1928, then in Fort Worth, Texas
until 1935, and then in Houston, Texas
from 1935 to 1942. He was in the United States Army Air Corps
during World War II
, from 1942 to 1946. After the war, he returned to private practice in Houston until 1954.
On May 10, 1954, Ingraham was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
vacated by Thomas M. Kennerly. Ingraham was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 6, 1954, and received his commission the same day.
On December 2, 1969, President Richard Nixon
nominated Ingraham for elevation to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
created by 82 Stat. 184. Again confirmed by the United States Senate on December 17, 1969, Ingraham received his commission the following day. He assumed senior status
on July 31, 1973, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1990, in Houston.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
. He is best known as being the judge who sentenced the then World Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Ali to the maximum 5 year sentence available for refusing to fight in the unpopular 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...
.
Born in Pawnee County, Oklahoma
Pawnee County, Oklahoma
Pawnee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 16,612. Its county seat is Pawnee.-History:The Osage Tribe used the area that contains present day Pawnee County as buffalo hunting grounds...
, Ingraham received an LL.B. from National University Law School, Washington, D.C., in 1927. He was then in private practice in Stroud, Oklahoma
Stroud, Oklahoma
Stroud is a city in Creek and Lincoln counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 2,758 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stroud is located at ....
until 1928, then in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
until 1935, and then in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
from 1935 to 1942. He was in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
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...
, from 1942 to 1946. After the war, he returned to private practice in Houston until 1954.
On May 10, 1954, Ingraham was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas is the Federal district court with jurisdiction over the southern part of Texas...
vacated by Thomas M. Kennerly. Ingraham was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on August 6, 1954, and received his commission the same day.
On December 2, 1969, President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
nominated Ingraham for elevation to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Louisiana* Middle District of Louisiana...
created by 82 Stat. 184. Again confirmed by the United States Senate on December 17, 1969, Ingraham received his commission the following day. He assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on July 31, 1973, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1990, in Houston.