Ingram, Jonas H.
Jonas Howard Ingram was born on 15 October 1887 in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Appointed from that same state to the U.S. Naval Academy, he graduated in June 1907. For his two year required Midshipman sea duty, he was assigned to USS Nebraska. Commissioned an Ensign in June 1909, he received orders to the training ship Hartford, then transferred to USS Iowa. Remaining at sea, he reported to USS Tacoma and was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade in June 1912. In September, he received orders to Arkansas and was serving on board during the intervention at Vera Cruz, Mexico. On 22 April 1914, he skillfully and efficiently handled Arkansas' artillery and machine guns in combat to ensure the capture of the city. For his "distinguished conduct in battle" on this occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Following this action, he was assigned in succession to USS Wisconsin, USS Kearsarge, USS Kentucky, and USS Alabama.
In April 1915, Ingram was ordered to the Naval Academy and was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1916. During World War I, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in October 1917 and became the Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Admiral Hugh Rodman, then Commander Division Three, Battle Force, Atlantic Fleet and Commander, American Sixth Battle Squadron of the British Grande Fleet. In July 1919, he remained as Aide to Rodman when he transferred to become Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Two years later, Ingram became the Chief of Staff to Commandant, Ninth Naval District, Great Lakes, Illinois. In June 1924, he was promoted to Commander and commanded USS Stoddert. After another tour at the Naval Academy, he returned to sea as the Executive Officer of USS Pennsylvania. In June 1932, he became Officer in Charge of the Public Relations Branch at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
Promoted to Captain in June 1935, he became Commander, Destroyer Squadron Six, Battle Force on board the destroyer Litchfield. After serving as Captain of the New York Navy Yard, New York, and attending the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, he commanded USS Tennessee. In January 1941, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and was assigned as Commander, Cruiser Division Two on board USS Memphis. In February 1942, he was promoted to Vice Admiral and his position was retitled to Commander Task Force Three, which was later renamed Commander Task Force Twenty-Three. In September, he received orders to become Commander, Fourth Fleet and Commander, South Atlantic Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, headquartered in Recife, Brazil. In November 1944, he was promoted to Admiral and became Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In April 1947, he retired and was placed on the retired list. Jonas H. Ingram died on 10 September 1952 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938), 1957-1983, was named in honor of Admiral Jonas H. Ingram.
This page features, and provides links to, selected views concerning Jonas H. Ingram.
For additional images related to Jonas H. Ingram, see:
- Admiral Jonas H. Ingram, USN, Views taken 1918-1935
- Admiral Jonas H. Ingram, USN, Views taken 1940-1943
- Admiral Jonas H. Ingram, USN, Views taken 1945-1946
