Jonas H . Ingram Admiral Jonas Howard Ingram ( October 15 , 1886 – September 9 , 1952 ) was an officer in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II . He commanded the United States Atlantic Fleet during World War II and was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in 1914 in Veracruz , Mexico . Early life and sports . Playing career . As a youth , Ingram attended Jeffersonville High School and Culver Military Academy in Culver , Indiana , then was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1903 , at the age of 17 . During Ingram ' s time at the Academy , he was a member of the school ' s rowing , track and football teams , leading the latter team to the Midshipmen ' s first victory in six years over their bitter rivals from Army by scoring the lone touchdown in the 1906 clash . His athletic exploits helped earn him the Academy ' s prestigious Athletic Sword and induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968 . Coaching career . As a Lieutenant , Ingram was named the 15th head college football coach for the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen located in Annapolis , Maryland and he held that position for two seasons , from 1915 until 1916 . His coaching record at United States Naval Academy was 9 wins , 8 losses , and 2 ties . As of the conclusion of the 2007 season , this ranks him 22nd at United States Naval Academy in total wins and 24th at United States Naval Academy in winning percentage ( 0 . 526 ) . Military career . Following his graduation in 1907 , Ingram served in several battleships , cruisers and destroyers . As turret officer of the battleship , he established a world ' s record for firing guns . On April 22 , 1914 he landed at Veracruz , Mexico with the " Arkansas " battalion and was later received the Medal of Honor for " distinguished conduct in battle " and " skillful and efficient handling of the artillery and machine guns " . World War I and interwar years . Ingram served as head football coach at the Naval Academy from 1915 to 1917 . During World War I he was awarded the Navy Cross for his services on the staff of Rear Admiral Hugh Rodman Commander , Division Nine , Battle Force , Atlantic Fleet . Earning the rank of Commander in 1924 , he became the commanding officer of the destroyer before returning to the U . S . Naval Academy to serve as both athletic director and football director from 1926 to 1930 . Ingram moved on to command the battleship for a period of time after that , before serving as Officer - in - Charge of the Public Relations Branch . Prior to his promotion to Captain in 1935 , Ingram served as an aide to the Secretary of the Navy , then returned to the sea as commander of Destroyer Squadron Six . Ashore , he was Captain of the Yard , New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn , New York before returning to sea , in command of the battleship . World War II . In the early years of World War II , Ingram was promoted to Rear Admiral on January 10 , 1941 and served as Commander Task Force Three prior to his designation in September 1942 as Commander South Atlantic Force , U . S . Atlantic Fleet , with the rank of Vice Admiral . This force , with headquarters in Brazil , guarded shipping in the coastal waters south of the Equator and throughout the United States zone of responsibility in the South Atlantic . Admiral Ingram ' s command included air and surface units of Brazil which were brought to a high state of efficiency through his leadership and coordinating efforts . The ability to develop and maintain harmony and close cooperation with Brazilian naval forces contributed to the control of the South Atlantic achieved by the Allies . He assumed personal responsibility for properly equipping and training the Brazilian Navy and for their combat operations against U - Boats and German raiders and later for the important task of maintaining the air and sea rescue patrol for ultimate deployment in the Pacific . For his services in these important commands , he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and a gold award star in lieu of a second . On November 15 , 1944 , he was appointed Commander - in - Chief , U . S . Atlantic Fleet , with the rank of Admiral . In this command he played a major role in assuring the steady flow of troops and materials to Europe across the Atlantic during the later phases of World War II . He also directed Atlantic Fleet efforts in containing and destroying the German U - Boat fleet . For exceptionally meritorious service during his command , he was awarded a gold award star in lieu of a third Distinguished Service Medal . After World War II , retirement and last years . Detached from duty as Commander - in - Chief , U . S . Atlantic Fleet , during September 1946 , he subsequently retired from active duty on April 1 , 1947 after 44 years of service . Ingram was named commissioner of the All - America Football Conference . Serving until resigning in 1949 , Ingram went on to serve as a vice president for the Reynolds Metals Company . In August 1952 , he suffered a heart attack while serving as the superintendent of summer schools at Culver Academies , then was stricken again with another attack on September 9 , while at the U . S . Naval Hospital in San Diego , California . He died the following evening . Medal of Honor citation . Rank and organization : Lieutenant , Junior Grade , U . S . Navy . Born : October 15 , 1886 , Jeffersonville , Ind . Accredited to : Indiana . G . O . No . : 177 , December 4 , 1915 . Citation : For distinguished conduct in battle , engagement of Vera Cruz , 22 April 1914 . During the second day ' s fighting the service performed by him was eminent and conspicuous . He was conspicuous for skillful and efficient handling of the artillery and machineguns of the Arkansas battalion , for which he was specially commended in reports . Additional awards . Ingram also received the Navy Cross , Distinguished Service Medal with two award stars ; Purple Heart ( for wounds received during an encounter with a German submarine " wolf - pack " in 1942 ) ; Mexican Service Medal ; World War I Victory Medal ( United States ) with Grand Fleet Clasp ; American Defense Service Medal with Bronze " A " ; American Campaign Medal ; European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal ; and the World War II Victory Medal . He also held the following foreign decorations : Order of the Southern Cross ( Brazil ) ; Grand Officer of the Order of Merit ( Brazil ) ; Naval Distinguished Service Medal ( Brazil ) ; Air Medal , Degree of Grand Officer ( Brazil ) ; Order of Leopold II ( Belgium ) ; and Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire ( Great Britain ) . The destroyer , launched in 1956 , was named in his honor .