USS Ingraham DD444


USS Ingraham DD444

History::

The second Ingraham (DD-444) was launched 15 February 1941 by the Charleston Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. George Ingraham Hutchinson, granddaughter of Captain Ingraham; and commissioned 17 July 1941, Lt. Comdr. W. H. Haynsworth, Jr., in command.

After shakedown and local operations along the East Coast, Ingraham commenced duties as convoy escort December 1941 as the Japanese surprise attack drew America into the fight for freedom. During 1942 she escorted convoys between the United States, Iceland, and the United Kingdom, bringing supplies desperately needed by the Allies to stem Hitler's advance and to take the offensive. Under constant threat from German U-boats Ingraham continued her escort duty to Europe and as far south as the Panama Canal.

On the night of 22 August as she was investigating a collision between U.S. destroyer Buck and a merchant vessel, Ingraham collided with tanker Chemung in heavy fog off the coast of Nova Scotia and Ingraham sank almost immediately. Depth charges on her stern exploded. Only 11 men survived the collision. She was struck from the Navy Register 11 September 1942.

--History from DANFS and my own records--R. Angelini, USS MAYO Group



Related Information

A Survivors Tale by Luther Wilhelm, Survivor of the DD444 Sinking

Loss of Fletcher Nolan Houston, MM2/c

Reunion Information
USS Ingraham DD-444 and DD-694 and FFG-61
Mr. Jerry King
USS Ingraham website


USS Ingraham DD444 Crew

If you ever served on this ship or have any information about her, please contact me at ::

Benson class destroyer Port

Thanks to James Grotjan, great nephew of Fletcher Nolan Houston for providing pictures of Ingraham and her crew.

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