Harry C. Ingles

Harry Clyde Ingles
Born March 12, 1888
Pleasant Hill, Nebraska
Died August 15, 1976 (aged 88)
Bethesda, Maryland
Allegiance United StatesUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1914-1947
Rank Major General
Service number 0-3689
Commands held U.S. Army Signal Corps
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards Distinguished Service Medal (2)

Harry Clyde Ingles (March 12, 1888 - August 15, 1976) was a United States Army Major General, who served during World War II and commanded the United States Army Signal Corps.[1]

Early years

Harry C. Ingles was born on March 12, 1888 in Pleasant Hill, Nebraska as the son of John William and Martha Ingles. After attendeding the high school at Lincoln, Nebraska, Ingles enrolled at the University of Nebraska, where he studied electrical engineering.

He was admitted at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1910 and graduated on June 12, 1914. He was also commissioned a Second lieutenant in the Infantry branch on that date. He was assigned to the 4th Infantry at Fort Lawton, Washington.[2]

Many of his classmated became later general officers. For example: Carl A. Spaatz, Brehon B. Somervell, Frank W. Milburn, Harold R. Bull, John B. Anderson, Jens A. Doe, Robert W. Crawford, Orlando Ward or James L. Bradley.[3]

Ingles saw service on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition. During the World War I, Ingles was appointed a commander of the military and technical training of Signal Corps officers. Therefore he was transferred to the Signal Corps in 1920 at his own request.[4]

Between the Wars, Ingles served on the various military assignments, including Signal officer of the Philippine Division, instructor in communication at the Command and general staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, commander of the Army Signal Corps School, Signal officer of the Third U.S. Army or Signal officer of the Caribbean Defense Command.

World War II

During the 1942, Ingles was appointed the Chief of staff of the Caribbean Defense Command, where he served under the command of Lieutenant general Frank M. Andrews. Ingles was appointed Commanding General of the Panama Mobile Force in the same year. He served in this capacity until 1943 and was decorated with Army Distinguished Service Medal for his service.[5]

In 1943, Major general Ingles served a brief period as a Deputy Commander in Chief of the U.S. European Theater of Operations and on July 1, 1943 he succeeded Major General Dawson Olmstead as a Chief Signal Officer of the U.S. Army.[6]

Under his tenure, the Signal Corps grew into an important part of the American War effort. After the war, the Signal Corps kept abreast of new technology and made first radar contact with the Earth's Moon during Project Diana and broke a speed record for fastest radioteletype in April 1945.

Postwar Life

For his service during the World War II, Ingles received an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Army Distinguished Service Medal.[7] Major general Harry C. Ingles retired from the Army in 1947 and subsequently was appointed a president of RCA Global Communications. He worked in this capacity from 1947 to 1953. He then worked for the National Broadcasting Company until 1969.[8]

Major general Harry C. Ingles died at the age of 88 on August 15, 1976 in Bethesda, Maryland. He is buried together with his wife Grace Salisbury Ingles (1889 - 1977) at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.[9]

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Major general Ingles:[10]

Bronze star

1st Row Army Distinguished Service Medal Mexican Border Service Medal World War I Victory Medal American Defense Service Medal with Base Clasp
2nd Row American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal
3rd Row Commander of Order of the British Empire (United Kingdom) Officer of the Legion of Honor (France) Commander of Order of the Liberator (Venezuela) Commander of the Order of Boyaca (Colombia)

See also

Military offices
Preceded by
Dawson Olmstead
Chief Signal Officer
July 1, 1943 – March 31, 1947
Succeeded by
Spencer B. Akin

References

  1. "Biography of Major-General Harry C. Ingles (1888 - 1976), USA". generals.dk. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  2. "West Point Deceased search". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  3. "United States Military Academy, Class of 1914". digital-library.usma.edu. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  4. "West Point Deceased search". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  5. "Valor awards for Harry Clyde Ingles". militarytimes.com. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  6. "Signal Corps "Regimental" History Site - Major General Harry C. Ingles". http://signal.army.mil. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  7. "Valor awards for Harry Clyde Ingles". militarytimes.com. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  8. "West Point Deceased search". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  9. "Harry C. Ingles (1888 - 1976) - Find a Grave Memorial". findagrave.com. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  10. "West Point Deceased search". Retrieved 13 November 2014.