USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35)

USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35), one of only two preserved Treasury-class United States Coast Guard Cutters. Originally Samuel D. Ingham, she was the fourth cutter to be named for Treasury Secretary Samuel D. Ingham. She was the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet and was the only cutter to ever be awarded two Presidential Unit Citations.

History 1934–1988
Ingham was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The Treasury Department awarded her contract on 30 January 1934. Her keel was laid on 1 May 1935 and she was launched on 3 June 1936 along with her sisters William J. Duane and Roger B. Taney. Ingham was christened by Ms. Katherine Ingham Brush on that date and the new cutter was formally commissioned on 12 September 1936.

Ingham served with distinction during World War II on convoy duty. Protecting ships ferrying vital supplies to Britain, Ingham battled stormy weather, German U-boats, and enemy aircraft. On 15 December 1942, during one crossing, Ingham engaged and sank the enemy submarine U-626. After 1944, Ingham served as an amphibious flagship and she would later take part in three campaigns in the Pacific Theater. Ingham was the last active warship in the US fleet with a U-Boat kill.

Convoys escorted
Ingham earned two Presidential Unit Citations for her service in Operation SEA LORDS and Operation SWIFT RAIDER during the Vietnam War on a deployment from 3 August 1968 to 28 February 1969.

On completion of her deployment to Vietnam the Ingham returned to regular Coast Guard duties, serving until 1988, when she was decommissioned. At that time, Ingham was the SECOND oldest commissioned U.S. warship afloat, second only to USS Constitution in Boston, Massachusetts.

Museum Ship and Memorial
Acquired by Patriot's Point (located near Charleston, South Carolina) in 1989, Ingham was displayed along with the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10), the destroyer USS Laffey (DD-724), and the submarine USS Clamagore (SS-343) until 20 August 2009.

On 20 August 2009 Ingham was towed to the Coast Guard piers in North Charleston, South Carolina for minor repairs and to await dry docking. She underwent a short dry docking period at Detyen's Shipyard in North Charleston and was then towed to Key West, Florida arriving there on 24 November 2009. She is now a member of Key West Maritime Memorial Museum.

The Commandant of the Coast Guard has declared Ingham the National Memorial to Coast Guardsmen Killed in Action in World War II and Vietnam. These 912 casualties are identified on a memorial plaque on Ingham's quarterdeck. Ingham was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992.

Awards

 * Presidential Unit Citation – 2 awards
 * Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation – 2 awards
 * Coast Guard E Ribbon – 3 awards
 * American Defense Service Medal with "A" device
 * American Campaign Medal
 * European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two battle stars
 * Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars
 * World War II Victory Medal
 * China 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

Note – Despite the current awards display on the Ingham an examination of the of the Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual revision of 1953, which gives official awards to Navy and Coast Guard ships up to that date, there are slight errors in the number of awards displayed. The above listing is in accord with the official Awards Manual for awards earned prior to 1953. Additionally, the Coast Guard Medal and Awards Manual does not list the Ingham as having received the Coast Guard Unit Commendation.