The USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) is a distinguished Treasury-class United States Coast Guard Cutter, notable for its storied service and preservation as a maritime memorial. Built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, her construction was authorized by the Treasury Department with the contract awarded on January 30, 1934. Her keel was laid on May 1, 1935, and she was launched on June 3, 1936, alongside sister ships including the William J. Duane, Taney, and George W. Campbell. The vessel was christened by Katherine Ingham Brush and commissioned on September 12, 1936. Designed as a versatile and durable cutter, Ingham served with distinction during World War II, primarily on convoy duty. She played a critical role in protecting supply ships ferrying vital materials to Britain, battling severe weather, German U-boats, and enemy aircraft. Her notable wartime achievement includes sinking the German U-boat U-626 on December 15, 1942. After 1944, Ingham transitioned to serve as an amphibious flagship and participated in three campaigns in the Pacific Theater. She holds the distinction of being the last active U.S. warship with a U-boat kill, underscoring her combat legacy. Throughout her service, Ingham received multiple accolades, including two Presidential Unit Citations earned during her deployments in Operation SEA LORDS and Operation SWIFT RAIDER during the Vietnam War, from August 1968 to February 1969. She also notably rescued sailor William Willis off the U.S. eastern seaboard in August 1966. Decommissioned in 1988, Ingham was then acquired by Patriot’s Point in 1989, where she was displayed alongside other historic vessels until 2009. She was subsequently towed to North Charleston for repairs and then to Key West, Florida, where she now serves as part of the Key West Maritime Memorial Museum. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992, Ingham is recognized as the National Memorial to Coast Guardsmen Killed in Action in both World War II and Vietnam, bearing a memorial plaque honoring 912 casualties. Her preserved status makes her a vital maritime memorial and a symbol of U.S. Coast Guard history and service.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.