Thanks George

Subject: INGALLS, GEORGE A. 

  Award: Congressional Medal of Honor
 
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Place and Date and date: Near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam, 16 April 1967
Entered service at: Los Angeles, California
Born: 9 March 1946, Hanford, California
 
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Ingalls, a member of Company A, accompanied his squad on a night ambush mission. Shortly after the ambush was established, an enemy soldier entered the killing zone and was shot when he tried to evade capture. Other enemy soldiers were expected to enter the area, and the ambush was maintained in the same location. 2 quiet hours passed without incident, then suddenly a hand grenade was thrown from the nearby dense undergrowth into the center of the squad's position. The grenade did not explode, but shortly thereafter a second grenade landed directly between Sp4c. Ingalls and a nearby comrade. Although he could have jumped to a safe position, Sp4c. Ingalls, in a spontaneous act of great courage, threw himself on the grenade and absorbed its full blast. The explosion mortally wounded Sp4c. Ingalls, but his heroic action saved the lives of the remaining members of his squad. His gallantry and selfless devotion to his comrades are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon Sp4c. Ingalls, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

******

George Ingalls. Just another schmoe, who when called upon, rose to the occasion and did something extraordinary. I'll bet if you could ask him why he dove on that grenade, he would say that he did it for his fellow soldiers who were fighting beside him.

Please remember George and all of the others who have fallen in the service of their country and their comrades on this day.

Thanks for reading,
A humble Schmoe