FC3c David Archie Ingraham

David Archie Ingraham was known as “King David” in his Kansas family of eight children because of his daredevil ways. He’d even go swimming on his birthday, Feb. 2.

He completed one year at Topeka High School, then decided he should get a job to help the family. So on Feb. 6, 1940 — four days after this 18th birthday — he enlisted in the Navy.

He trained at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station north of Chicago and by June was aboard the U.S.S. Maryland on his way from San Pedro, California to join the crew of the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor.

He was a fire controlman and petty officer third class when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

Mr. Ingraham was the son of Earl Ingraham, a jewelry engraver, and Amelia Ingersoll Ingraham, a homemaker.

At least one of his brothers, Dwight, also served in the Navy in World War II. An older brother, Paul, had served in the Navy in the 1920s.

Sources: The Topeka (Kansas) Daily Capital story and photo; The (Topeka) Capitol-Journal; Census; Topeka Cemetery grave marker; Navy muster rolls. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.