INGHRAM, ROBERT W June 27, 1944 age 21 KIA Biak Island

ROBERT WILLIAM INGHRAM  b. May 15, 1923 Atalissa, Iowa d. June 27, 1944

Killed in Action Biak Island, New Guinea

Sgt 36573354 Army 163^rd Inf Reg 41^st Inf Div Co A

Buried: Parkview Memorial Cemetery, Livonia, Michigan

Parents: William & Lulu Rebecca (Oepping)

Siblings: Elsie Marie, Maxine
Spouse: Shirley Mae Carpenter 

The Inghram’s made their way to Detroit from Iowa. William worked as an auto mechanic in the Army Training Corp. The family lived at 17665 Kentfield, the house now gone as is their 1930’s home at 15077 Birwood.



18630 Santa Rosa

Shirley Carpenter

Robert graduated Redford in June 1941 and the next year did his draft registration. He is listed as 6’ at 165 lbs with blue eyes and blonde hair, employed by Atlas Engineering. On Jan 6 1943 he married Shirley Mae Carpenter in Detroit. They lived at 18630 Santa Rosa. Christmas Eve Thomas enlisted. Shirley remarried 1947.

The 41^st Division’s bloodiest engagement was on the island of Biak just off New Guinea’s coast. It marked the first time the division had fought as a whole and resulted in the defeat of over ten thousand well-entrenched and well-led Japanese forces. The campaign extended from May through Aug 1944. It earned the 41^st a new nickname – The Jungleers. Continuous heavy fighting, intense heat and scarcity of water tired the task force troops to a critical degree.



162rd Inf South Shore Biak Island

Capture of Biak cost 3, 000 casualties: 474 killed, the remainder wounded. Japanese in caves had a well dug in garrison. It was one of the most costly of MacArthur’s leapfrogging attacks on the north coast of New Guinea. Thomas died of a gunshot wound.

Video of the invasion of Biak Island: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0Dm4PvVO5Y