The VFW Ship #1774 was originally formed (in 1930) for service members in the Navy and Marines but presently has members from all the Services. Presently, only two other VFW Ships remain: Port Jervis, New York and Ridgecrest, California. As is the custom today, almost all newly established organizations are called VFW Posts. The difference between a VFW Ship and VFW Post is the organization title and the titles of the officers (which follows the officer titles of Ship officers). VFW Posts and Ships follow the same Congressional Charter By-Laws and Manual of Procedure Ritual as established by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Ship in La Mesa started out downtown San Diego and moved to its present location in 1985. Chartered January 14th, 1930 this VFW celebrated 75 years of service to the veterans in 2005. We pride ourselves in being a meeting place for Veterans of all wars and say thanks to all of the people serving today.

The Ship was named after Gunner's Mate First Class Osmond K. Ingram who earned a Metal of Honor in World War I (see below)

Gunner's Mate First Class Osmond K. Ingram, USN, (1887-1917)

Osmond Kelly Ingram was born on 4 August 1887 in Pratt City, Alabama. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from that state as an Apprentice Seaman in November 1903.

In the course of his Naval career, he advanced to the rank of Gunner's Mate First Class and, during World War I, served on board the destroyer Cassin. On 15 October 1917, while his ship was operating off the Irish coast, she was attacked by the German submarine U-61. Gunner's Mate Ingram spotted an incoming torpedo and, realizing that it could hit near the depth charges at the ship's stern, he ran aft in an attempt to release them before the torpedo arrived. However, the torpedo struck the ship before he could achieve his purpose and Ingram was killed in the ensuing explosion.

For his "extraordinary heroism" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Also noteworthy for being the first U.S. Navy enlisted man killed in action during World War I, Osmond K. Ingram is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the American Battle Monuments Commission Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey, England.

USS Osmond Ingram (DD-255, later AVD-9 and APD-35), 1919-1946, was named in honor of Gunner's Mate First Class Osmond K. Ingram.