Kelly Ingram

Osmond Kelly Ingram (August 4, 1887 – October 16, 1917) was a sailor in the U. S. Navy and the first enlisted serviceman from the United States killed in World War I. He died heroically, saving his ship and shipmates by jettisoning the vessel's ammunition stores in advance of a torpedo strike.

Born to Robert L. Ingram and his wife Naomi Elizabeth Lea in Pratt City, Ingram entered the Navy on November 24, 1903. His ship, the USS Cassin, was attacked by a German U-61 submarine off the coast of Ireland on October 16, 1917. Gunner’s Mate First Class Ingram spotted the approaching torpedo, realized it would strike close by explosives, thus dooming the ship, and rushed to jettison the ammunition. He was blown overboard and lost when the torpedo struck.

For his sacrifice, Ingram was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Italian War Cross. The USS Osmond Ingram (DD-255) and Birmingham's Kelly Ingram Park are named for him.