During World War II, Adm. Ingersoll distinguished himself as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Monterey. He received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism during a Japanese aerial attack near Taiwan.During World War II, Adm. Ingersoll distinguished himself as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Monterey. He received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism during a Japanese aerial attack near Taiwan. Two former presidents, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, served under Adm. Ingersoll. Ford was a lieutenant aboard the Monterey during World War II. Carter was a midshipman when Adm. Ingersoll served as commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy from 1945 to 1947.4372