USS Ingraham (DD-694)

USS "Ingraham" (DD-694) an "Allen M. Sumner"-class destroyer, is the 3rd ship in the United States Navy to be named for Duncan Ingraham. "Ingraham" (DD-694) was launched 16 January 1944 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey; sponsored by Mrs. George Ingraham Hutchinson; and commissioned 10 March 1944, Commander H.W. Gordon in command.

History

After shakedown in Bermuda and training out of Norfolk, "Ingraham" sailed for duty with the Pacific Fleet, arriving Eniwetok 31 October in time to begin the final push of the enemy to its home islands. In mid-November she commenced screening carriers during strikes on Luzon in which considerable damage was done to the dwindling Japanese navy and air force. The destroyer continued patrol and antisubmarine duty until 12 December when she sailed for the assault and landings on Mindoro. Three days later in company with Barton, she sank a Japanese cargo ship off the southwest tip of Mindoro After a brief stay, she departed San Pedro 2 January 1945, for the operations in the Lingayen Gulf. Arriving off the Gulf on the sixth, she added her powerful anti-aircraft fire to that of the invasion fleet, and bombarded the shore targets behind the beaches. At the end of January, "Ingraham" joined a fast carrier task force for strikes on the Japanese homeland. Following repair at Saipan 20 February, she joined the invasion fleet off Iwo Jima 23 February, and provided accurate call fire for the marines. After additional repairs, she operated along the East Coast until 7 May 1946 when she departed for the atomic bomb tests at Bikini. "Ingraham" departed San Diego 24 February 1947 for the Far East. The Destroyer engaged in various exercises and in late June arrived in Manila to act as official U.S. representative at the Philippine Independence anniversary. She returned to San Diego 8 October 1947.

"Ingraham" operated along the California coast until 4 April 1949 when she departed San Diego for Norfolk, arriving 20 April. She commenced exercises in the Atlantic during the summer of 1951, then made another cruise to the Mediterranean during the fall of 1951 and summer of 1952. "Ingraham" departed Norfolk 24 April 1953 to escort carrier Lake Champlain to Japan via the Mediterranean and Suez Canal. She arrived Yokosuka 9 June and later that month, joined the carrier task force providing air support to our forces in Korea. Her accuracy was excellent as she destroyed gun emplacements and supply areas. Following the truce, she operated on security patrol before returning to Norfolk 27 October. During 1954 the destroyer operated on hunter-killer operations, a cruise to South America, and NATO exercises out of Northern Ireland. Ingraham departed Norfolk 28 July for duty with the 6th Fleet as trouble flared over the Suez Canal. She returned to Norfolk 4 December. The destroyer returned to 6th Fleet duty in February 1958 and operated on patrol and exercises in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. She returned to Norfolk, Virginia, 2 July prior to the Lebanon crisis in which the 6th Fleet played a major role in preserving the freedom of a small nation. On 13 February 1959, she departed for another tour with the 6th Fleet.

During 1960 she engaged in operations out of Mayport, Florida. "Ingraham" arrived at her homeport, Newport, Rhode Island, 23 February 1962. In September and October she was assigned to the recovery area for the Project Mercury flight of “Sigma 7” and under more somber conditions took part in the Cuban blockade which ended in the removal of Russian missiles from that island. She continued operations along the East Coast until 1 October 1963. On 29 September 1965, she departed Newport for the western Pacific, arriving 31 October at Yokosuka, Japan. On 12 November, "Ingraham" steamed ten miles up the Saigon River to bombard an enemy supply base. From 1 January 1966 to 24 January, "Ingraham" operated with TF 77. She left Newport 4 February by way of the Suez Canal. Arriving 8 April off the East Coast, Ingraham began a repair and training period.

"Ingraham" was decommissioned 15 June 1971 and sold to Greece on 16 July 1971. She was renamed "Miaoulis" after a 19th century Greek naval hero. She was active in the Greek Navy until 1992, when she was decommissioned and struck from the active roster. On 9 October 2001, "Ingraham" was sunk as a target during a Greek naval exercise.

"Ingraham" received the Navy Unit Commendation for her action off Okinawa and four battle stars for service in World War II. She earned a fifth battle star for service in Korea.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/i2/ingraham-iii.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/694.htm navsource.org: USS "Ingraham"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd694txt.htm hazegray.org: USS "Ingraham"]