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Who was DL Ingram?

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Across the globe, the United States military shares a proud and noble heritage that reaches back for generations. Looking deeper, each installation enjoys its very unique and rich history.

As a display of that history, every base labels some streets after various military leaders, heroes or operations affiliated with designated Major Commands. Cannon Air Force Base is no different, but is unique as one of very few military installations to have housed both an Air Combat Command and an Air Force Special Operations Command.

In 1990, Cannon broke away from its tradition of MAJCOM-related street names to memorialize a leader and pillar of the Curry County community by naming one of its major streets after the late Darwin Legette Ingram.

Ingram, a World War II veteran, moved to Clovis in 1944. While establishing himself as a prominent local businessman, he soon joined the fledgling Committee of Fifty as an active member. The organization created and developed a strong bond between the local community and the base, where Ingram dedicated much of his time maximizing the quality of life for Cannon Air Commandos, often devoting personal time to attend award ceremonies and other base events.

As a man of strong moral character and a deep sense of patriotism, Ingram became politically active and frequently visited Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of Cannon. With his aptitude for communication and good-natured sense of humor, Ingram quickly established himself on a first name basis with the nation’s top military leaders and government officials.

Ingram is an important cornerstone in Cannon's history and although he may not have realized it at the time, he has also become an integral part of special operations history. Without his joint innovative efforts with Assistant Secretary of the Air Force James E. Boatwright to secure the additional land needed to expand Melrose Air Force Range, AFSOC may not have identified Cannon as the home for the new special operations wing.

Since the inception of D.L. Ingram Boulevard and its rededication as D.L. Ingram Avenue in December of 2012, it is the only street on a U.S. military installation to date that is named after a community representative.

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