Osmond Ingram
Encyclopedia
Osmond Kelly Ingram was a sailor in the United States Navy
during World War I
who received the Medal of Honor posthumously.
submarine
U-61 off Ireland
on October 16, 1917. Gunner’s Mate First Class Ingram spotted the approaching torpedo, realized it would strike close by the ship's depth charges, thus dooming the ship, and rushed to jettison the ammunition. He was blown overboard when the torpedo struck, thus becoming the United States
' first enlisted man killed in action in World War I as he attempted to save his ship and shipmates. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor
for his actions on that day.
are named Ingram Plaza in his honor
, a , served in the United States Navy during World War II. Osmond Ingram was decommissioned at Philadelphia on January 8, 1946 and was struck from the Navy List
on January 21, 1946. It was sold for scrapping to Hugo Neu June 17, 1946.
Kelly Ingram Park
is also named in his honor. It is a 4 acres (1.6 ha) park located in Birmingham, Alabama
.
Citation:
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
who received the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Biography
Born to Robert L. Ingram and his wife Naomi Elizabeth Lea in Pratt City, Alabama, Ingram entered the Navy November 24, 1903. His ship, , was attacked by the GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
U-61 off Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
on October 16, 1917. Gunner’s Mate First Class Ingram spotted the approaching torpedo, realized it would strike close by the ship's depth charges, thus dooming the ship, and rushed to jettison the ammunition. He was blown overboard when the torpedo struck, thus becoming the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' first enlisted man killed in action in World War I as he attempted to save his ship and shipmates. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions on that day.
Namesake
The main flagpole and colors at the former Naval Training Center, San DiegoLiberty Station
Liberty Station is a project that involves the conversion of San Diego, California's former Naval Training Center into a mixed-use community that includes several distinct districts...
are named Ingram Plaza in his honor
, a , served in the United States Navy during World War II. Osmond Ingram was decommissioned at Philadelphia on January 8, 1946 and was struck from the Navy List
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on January 21, 1946. It was sold for scrapping to Hugo Neu June 17, 1946.
Kelly Ingram Park
Kelly Ingram Park
Kelly Ingram Park, formerly West Park, is a four acre park located in Birmingham, Alabama. It is bounded by 16th and 17th Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues North in the Birmingham Civil Rights District...
is also named in his honor. It is a 4 acres (1.6 ha) park located in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Gunner's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: August 4, 1887, Alabama. Accredited to. Alabama.Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in the presence of the enemy on the occasion of the torpedoing of the Cassin, on 15 October 1917. While the Cassin was searching for the submarine, Ingram sighted the torpedo coming, and realizing that it might strike the ship aft in the vicinity of the depth charges, ran aft with the intention of releasing the depth charges before the torpedo could reach the Cassin. The torpedo struck the ship before he could accomplish his purpose and Ingram was killed by the explosion. The depth charges exploded immediately afterward. His life was sacrificed in an attempt to save the ship and his shipmates, as the damage to the ship would have been much less if he had been able to release the depth charges.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I