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"No Rank in Sacrifice"
The story of the deeds of heroism performed by men of the navy
in this war will glow with a light that never was on sea or land.
Men who live valiantly and die nobly have a strength and a courage
from the eternal Father. Two of these young heroes have recently
received high honor. One a graduate of Annapolis, the other an
enlisted man. There is no rank in sacrifice. Many years ago when
the first destroyers were built, they were given the names of John
Paul Jones and Perry and Farragut and Decatur. All illustrious
names, not born to die. The custom is continued. Two of the
latest destroyers were named Cork and Ingram.
The torpedoing of the Jacob Jones gave us more than one naval
hero, some of them spared for future achievement. He was game to
the last, was the report of the spirit of Lieutenant F. S. Cork.
During the early part of the evening, in a weakened condition, this
gallant young officer swam through the chilly waters, from one raft
to another, in his effort to distribute the weight and make safe
the men who had found rescue. Young, without fame, in the hour of
dire peril he thought not of himself, but of others. We have given
Corky the distinction that goes alone to those who put devotion to
duty above love of life. The destroyer Cork, like the useful hero
for whom it is named, will be game to the last.
The deed of Osmond J. Ingram ranks with those that gives
splendor to our humanity. He was gunners-mate on the intrepid
[Cassin]. When the captain, searching for submarines, spied one,
he started full speed ahead toward the enemy. Suddenly he cited a
torpedo about four hundred yards away. Realizing the situation,
the crew captain rang for emergency speed on both engines. In that
critical moment an enlisted man of the Navy rose to the heroic
demand of the peril. Seeing the torpedo coming toward the stern of
the ship where the gun was located, Gunner Ingram, with rare
presence of mind, realized the danger if the weapon struck where
the ammunition was stored. He speedily ran aft and threw the
ammunition into the sea before the torpedo struck. He saved the
[Cassin] and the lives of his shipmates. He lost his own life. He
was the only man who did not answer to the roll call of the ship,
but he answered to the roll call of the immortal, and soon a
destroyer bearing his name will proudly sail the seas.
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