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Photo # NH 91637:  Gunner's Mate Osmond K. Ingram, USN

Online Library of Selected Images:
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Gunner's Mate First Class Osmond K. Ingram, USN, (1887-1917)

Osmond Kelly Ingram was born on 4 August 1887 in Pratt City, Alabama. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from that state as an Apprentice Seaman in November 1903. In the course of his Naval career, he advanced to the rank of Gunner's Mate First Class and, during World War I, served on board the destroyer Cassin. On 15 October 1917, while his ship was operating off the Irish coast, she was attacked by the German submarine U-61. Gunner's Mate Ingram spotted an incoming torpedo and, realizing that it could hit near the depth charges at the ship's stern, he ran aft in an attempt to release them before the torpedo arrived. However, the torpedo struck the ship before he could achieve his purpose and Ingram was killed in the ensuing explosion. For his "extraordinary heroism" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Also noteworthy for being the first U.S. Navy enlisted man killed in action during World War I, Osmond K. Ingram is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the American Battle Monuments Commission Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey, England.

USS Osmond Ingram (DD-255, later AVD-9 and APD-35), 1919-1946, was named in honor of Gunner's Mate First Class Osmond K. Ingram.

This page features all the views we have concerning Osmond K. Ingram.


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Photo #: NH 91637

Gunner's Mate Third Class Osmond K. Ingram, USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 117.
Osmond K. Ingram was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" during the torpedoing of USS Cassin (DD-43) on 15 October 1917. He was a Gunner's Mate First Class at that time.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 44KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 1876

Gunner's Mate Third Class Osmond K. Ingram, USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from an unidentified publication.
Ingram was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his "extraordinary heroism" on 15 October 1917, when USS Cassin (DD-43) was torpedoed by a German submarine. He was a Gunner's Mate First Class at that time.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 53KB; 425 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 458-KN (color)

USS Cassin (DD-43)

Painting by Charles B. Falls, depicting the gallant but futile effort of Gunner's Mate First Class Osmond K. Ingram, USN, to release the ship's depth charges just before she was hit by a torpedo from the German submarine U-61 on 15 October 1917. Ingram was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism on this occasion.

Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 510 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105319

Gunner's Mate First Class Osmond K. Ingram, USN


Halftone collage entitled, "They, Too, Were Ready."
Above: the stern of USS Cassin (Destroyer # 43) after she was torpedoed by German submarine U-61 on 15 October 1917.
Inset: Gunner's Mate Osmond K. Ingram, USN, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his "extraordinary heroism" in attempting to save the Cassin when she was torpedoed.
Below: USS Shaw (Destroyer # 68) after her collision with the British transport Aquitania on 9 October 1918.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 85KB; 490 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Gunner's Mate First Class Osmond K. Ingram (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 117):

"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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 20 November 2007