Osmond Ingram

Gunner's Mate First Class, Osmond Kelly Ingram was the first enlisted Navy man killed during World War One. His death was certainly not in vain, he very likely saved the ship he was on, the USS Cassin, with his actions that day.

The Cassin was attacked by the German U-61 off the coast of Ireland on this day, 98 years ago. Cassin saw the torpedo coming and realized it would strike near the ship's depth charges. He rushed to release the charges into the water. The torpedo struck before he could fully accomplish this.

Ingram was thrown overboard and killed in the ensuing explosion, which was determined to have been less bad than it would have been if Ingram had not rushed to action. No other lives were lost as a result of the attack. For his actions that day, Osmond Kelly Ingram was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Ingram's citation reads:

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.

Osmond Kelly Ingram was born in Oneonta, Alabama. He was 30 years old at the time of his death. There is a marker in his honor at the Brookwood American Military Cemetery in Surrey, England.

He is also honored by Ingram Plaza at the former Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA. Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham, Alabama is named in his honor. The Navy also named DD-255, a Clemson Class Destroyer during World War 2 the USS Osmond Ingram.

We are thankful for his service and sacrifice. His action saved lives that day, 98 years ago. Although none of his shipmates are still with us, I'm sure many generations of families have him to thank for their many years.

Remembering The Men of the 4241st

On this day, 64 years ago, "Pogo 22", a B-52G stratofortress was part of a mock attack during the Sky Shield II exercise of the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. When they failed to return at the expected time, a massive search was launched. The search included 79 aircraft from the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force along with 7 ships. They searched over 285,000 square miles, but found no trace after 4 days.

Lost that night were:

Captain Roland C. Starke Jr. (Aircraft Captain)
1st Lieutenant Kenneth L. Payne (Pilot)
Captain Paul D. Fellows Jr. (Radar Navigator)
Lieutenant Richard C. Wiksell (Navigator)
Lieutenant Dean A. Upp (EWO)
Staff Sergeant Helmut Christ (Gunner)
Airman 1st Class Francis B. Jones (Maintenance Specialist)
Lieutenant Gary W. Sprague (Navigator)

Let us never forget these men or the sacrifice they made.

USS Muskeget

The USS Muskeget was a cargo ship acquired by the Navy during World War II. It was fitted with a few small armaments and then transferred to the Coast Guard for use on weather patrol. It served in that capacity from late June, 1942 until mid September, 1942.

While on the second weather patrol en route from Boston to Iceland, she sent reports as late as September 9. Due to return to port on the 11th, she was never heard from. The USS Monomoy searched on Sept, 13, but found no sign of the Muskeget. Further searches were mounted by boat and aircraft on the 16th, but were unsuccessful as well. She was presumed, at that point, to have been lost at sea. It wasn't until much later that German records of a u-boat sinking in that same area had been the USS Muskeget.

The Muskeget had a crew of 121 and also carried at least 4 civilian weather service employees. There is a list of her crew here.

We remember those men, lost 73 years ago today. With the amount of shipping traffic across the North Atlantic at this time, accurate weather information could be invaluable. The job these men did may not have been as glorious as shelling Iwo Jima, but it was no less appreciated and they deserve to be honored for their participation in the war against tyranny.

We salute them. Let us never forget all who were lost.

USS Mount Vernon (ID-4508)

In 1906, German shipping company, North German Lloyd had the SS Kronprinzessin Cecilie (Crown Princess Cecilie) built as a luxury liner. It operated between Bremen, Germany and New York until WW1 broke out in 1914. When that happened, it was interned by the neutral United States until we entered the war in 1917. At that point, it was seized and transferred to the US Navy for use as a troop transport. It was then renamed the USS Mount Vernon.

During the war, she made nine successful trips across the Atlantic, carrying troops into battle at Brest, France. On this date, September 5, 1918, 97 years ago, while on another crossing, returning 350 wounded soldiers back home. 200 miles from France, her gun crews spotted a periscope. Only 500 yards away, the German U-82 fired a torpedo as the Mount Vernon fired her guns back and made evasive turns. The sub submerged and got away, but the Mount Vernon was not able to avoid the torpedo, which struck and knocked out half of her boilers. 36 men were killed as a result.

The ship was able to make it back to Brest for temporary repairs, and eventually made it back to Boston for full repairs. She eventually returned to France, sailing on February 22, Washington's Birthday, to begin returning US veterans back home.

Today we remember those lost aboard the Mount Vernon. Especially heartbreaking considering they had been injured in battle, survived, and were on their way home. They gave and gave some more in the fight against tyranny and their contributions should never be forgotten.