MELVIN LEROY INGRAHAM

My brother, Melvin, was born January 5, 1926, in Thurman, Warren Co., NY. In 1933, his family moved to a farm south of Cambridge on Rt #22. He graduated from CCS in the class of 1943, and helped his father on the farm until he enlisted in the US Navy and was inducted March 9, 1944.
He received his Boot Training at Fort Sampson and six weeks later he was off the coast of France in active warfare. He served on several different vessels in the European Theatre during his tour of duty, but primarily LST 263 and USS Hopi. He was discharged May 12, 1946, at Personnel Separation Center, Lido Beach, LI, NY, with rank of Coxswain. He received several patches and medals, the main ones being the European Medal; American Theatre Medal; and Victory Medal.
He returned to the Cambridge area and married Marion Pine. Their family eventually grew to 2 sons and 2 daughters. Melvin took some courses in agriculture, and he and Marion bought a farm.
When the country became involved in the Korean conflict, he re-enlisted in the Navy and entered active service August 28, 1950. He had hoped to be assigned to instruction duty somewhere here in the states. However, that didn't happen, and he soon found himself off the coast of Korea aboard the USS Seminole. After the birth of his 3rd child he was eligible for discharge. He was flown back to the states and received his discharge through the Receiving Station, San Francisco, CA, January 23, 1951.
He had problems finding his niche, and ended up working many years at Wood Flong
Corp., Hoosick Falls, NY. He and Marion owned and operated M&M gun Shop in West
Hoosick, NY, for several years. He became well known over a large area for his
painstaking work in restoring guns.
He also served as a deputy in the Sheriff's Dept. and did volunteer work with the New York State Troopers. He realized this was the kind of work he wanted to be in and was pursuing that when he fell off a roof, severely injuring his right arm and shoulder. Because of the permanent results of that injury, his dream of being in law enforcement ended. He was also eligible for early retirement from Wood Flong.
Then he became interested in photography. He was a regional sales representative
for Minolta Corp. for several years. He took several courses in photography and
did excellent semi-professional work. During this time, Marion developed breast cancer, and retired from teaching. They traveled the country in a small travel trailer, making the rounds of Bluegrass Festivals where Melvin played in back-up bands for several country music stars. Marion died November 29, 1982, in Tucson AZ. Melvin drifted for a while and then married Ruth Penn Griffin, December 3, 1983. I think the thing in my brother's life he was was most proud of was his service in the U.S. Navy. He died suddenly November 1, 1993, in Louisiana, MO.

The above was submitted by Melvin's sister, Verena I. Marsh-Taylor (Class of
1939). Some of the data is taken from his military records, and also from a eulogy
outline prepared by his son, Stephen, for the military graveside service at West
Hoosick Baptist Church.