The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Jonas Howard Ingram (NSN: 0-6587), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander FOURTH Fleet and South Atlantic Forces of the United States Atlantic Fleet from January to November 1944. Admiral Ingram displayed the highest qualities of initiative and leadership in the direction of the war against enemy submarine and surface forces acting in the South Atlantic Area. Oftentimes with inadequate facilities, limited supplies and personnel, and long exposed supply lines he employed the resources and facilities available to him with resolution and determination and consistently displayed inspiring leadership. Faced with complicated and delicate political situations, he employed tact and understanding to an outstanding degree. By these accomplishments he was, to a large degree, responsible for the successful prosecution of the war in the South Atlantic Area.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral [then Rear Admiral] Jonas Howard Ingram (NSN: 0-6587), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving successively as Commander Task Force THREE, Commander Task Force TWENTY-THREE, and Commander FOURTH Fleet and South Atlantic Forces of the United States Atlantic Fleet from July 1941 until 1 January 1944. During the period of uncertain and rapidly changing conditions prior to and closely following our declaration of war against the Axis powers, Vice Admiral Ingram, while in command of Task Force THREE and later of Task Force TWENTY-THREE, developed and placed in operation comprehensive and effective plans for combating and ultimately destroying enemy forces in the vitally important and then relatively unprotected South Atlantic Area. His conception and execution of these plans required and demonstrated sound judgment, notable initiative and tact, and tireless energy. Faced with problems, often complicated by delicate political situations, involving lengthy and exposed supply lines, inadequate facilities, and limited equipment, supplies and personnel, his resourceful and resolute and inspired leadership enabled his forces signally to defeat enemy thrusts against Allied commerce in the South Atlantic. Vice Admiral Ingram as Commander FOURTH Fleet and South Atlantic Force, commanding the combined United Nations’ Forces in the South Atlantic Area in the same outstanding manner, promptly organized and administered an effective convoy and shipping control service, planned and supervised the acquisition and development of naval and air bases to serve his expanding forces, and directed his aggressive and tenacious forces in the series of brilliantly executed combined sea and air operations which resulted I the destruction of numerous enemy submarines and surface ships endeavoring to operate in or to transit the area under his command, and in the maintenance of secure sea communications. These accomplishments have contributed materially to Allied success in the prosecution of the war. The outstanding accomplishments of Vice Admiral Ingram in his performance of duty as Commander FOURTH Fleet and South Atlantic Forces reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.