USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) facts for kids

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|} The USCGC Ingham (WPG/WAGC/WHEC-35) is a famous ship from the United States Coast Guard. It is one of only two preserved ships of its kind. The Ingham was originally named Samuel D. Ingham after a Treasury Secretary. This ship was the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet. It was also the only Coast Guard ship to receive two Presidential Unit Citations. Today, the Ingham is a museum ship in Key West, Florida.

Contents

• History of the Ingham (1934–1988)

• World War II Service
• Post-War Service

History
United States
Name	Samuel D. Ingham Ingham (May 1937)
Namesake	Samuel D. Ingham
Awarded	30 January 1934
Builder	Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
Laid down	1 May 1935
Launched	3 June 1936
Sponsored by	Katherine Ingham Brush
Commissioned	12 September 1936
Decommissioned	27 May 1988
Reclassified	WPG-35 (1 July 1941) WAGC-35 (24 July 1944) WHEC-35 (1 May 1965)
Motto	Never too old to serve
Status	Museum ship
General characteristics
Displacement	2,700 long tons (2,700 t)
Length	327 ft (100 m)
Beam	41 ft (12 m)
Installed power	2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers 6,200 hp (4,600 kW)
Propulsion	2 × Westinghouse double reduction geared steam turbine engines 2 × Propellers
Speed	21 kn (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Range	8,270 nmi (15,320 km; 9,520 mi)
Complement	(1937) 12 officers, 4 warrants, 107 enlisted (1941) 16 officers, 5 warrants, 202 enlisted (1966) 10 officers, 3 warrants, 134 enlisted
Armament	Depending on the time period: 1 to 4 × 5" (127 mm)/38 caliber Mk.30 2 × 5" (127 mm)/51 caliber 2 × 6-pounder saluting guns varying numbers of .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns
Aircraft carried	originally 1 Grumman Duck seaplane, later removed
USCGC Ingham
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Ingham preserved in Key West.
Location in Florida
Location	Key West, Florida
Built	1935
Architect	US Coast Guard; Philadelphia Navy Yard
NRHP reference No.	92001879
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	27 April 1992
Designated NHL	27 April 1992

• Ingham as a Museum Ship
• Awards and Honors
• Gallery

History of the Ingham (1934–1988)

The Ingham was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Its construction began on May 1, 1935. The ship was launched on June 3, 1936. On that day, it was christened by Katherine Ingham Brush. The Ingham officially joined the Coast Guard on September 12, 1936.

World War II Service

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

The Ingham played an important role during World War II. It helped protect convoys, which were groups of ships carrying important supplies to Britain. The Ingham faced tough weather, German U-boats (submarines), and enemy planes.

On December 15, 1942, the Ingham found and sank a German submarine called U-626. This was a very brave act. After 1944, the Ingham also served in the Pacific Ocean. It took part in three major campaigns there. The Ingham was the last active U.S. warship that had sunk a U-boat during the war.

Post-War Service

Ingham in 1953

In August 1966, the Ingham rescued a sailor named William Willis off the eastern coast of the U.S.

The Ingham also served during the Vietnam War. It earned two Presidential Unit Citations for its service. These awards recognize its bravery and success in operations like SEA LORDS and SWIFT RAIDER. This happened during its deployment from August 1968 to February 1969.

After its time in Vietnam, the Ingham continued its regular Coast Guard duties. It served until 1988, when it was taken out of service. At that time, the Ingham was the second oldest active U.S. warship. Only the USS Constitution in Boston was older.

Ingham as a Museum Ship

Ingham at Patriots Point in 1990

In 1989, the Ingham became a museum ship at Patriot's Point in Charleston, South Carolina. It was displayed alongside other famous ships like the aircraft carrier Yorktown.

On August 20, 2009, the Ingham was moved to Key West, Florida. It arrived there on November 24, 2009. Now, it is part of the Key West Maritime Memorial Museum.

The Coast Guard has named the Ingham the National Memorial to Coast Guardsmen. This means it honors all Coast Guard members who died in action during World War II and the Vietnam War. A special plaque on the ship lists the names of 912 people. In 1992, the Ingham was also named a National Historic Landmark.

Awards and Honors

Ribbons and Medals painted on in January 2010.

The Ingham received many awards for its service. Here are some of them:

• Presidential Unit Citation – 2 awards
• Coast Guard Unit Commendation - 2 awards
• Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation – 2 awards
• Coast Guard E Ribbon – 3 awards
• China Service Medal
• American Defense Service Medal
• American Campaign Medal with one battle star
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three battle stars
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars
• World War II Victory Medal
• Navy Occupation Service 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

Gallery

• 

  Ingham in 1953

• 

  The Ingham around 1965

• 

  USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) off Vietnam around 1968

• 

  Ingham in Key West in 2019

• 

  The Executive Officer's stateroom

• 

  View of the bow of the Ingham with a 5"/38 caliber gun, and a 6-pounder saluting gun