Very Thankful...

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Specialist Fourth Class George Alan Ingalls (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 16, 1967, near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads:

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. Two 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.

Private Lewis J. Ingalls (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on September 4, 1862, at Boutte Station, Louisiana. His citation reads:

A railroad train guarded by about 60 men on flat cars having been sidetracked by a misplaced switch into an ambuscade of guerrillas who were rapidly shooting down the unprotected guards, this soldier, under a severe fire in which he was wounded, ran to another switch and, opening it, enabled the train and the surviving guards to escape.

Sergeant Einar H. Ingman, Jr. (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on February 26, 1951, near Maltari, Korea. His citation reads:

Sgt. Ingman, a member of Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. The 2 leading squads of the assault platoon of his company, while attacking a strongly fortified ridge held by the enemy, were pinned down by withering fire and both squad leaders and several men were wounded. Cpl. Ingman assumed command, reorganized and combined the 2 squads, then moved from 1 position to another, designating fields of fire and giving advice and encouragement to the men. Locating an enemy machine gun position that was raking his men with devastating fire he charged it alone, threw a grenade into the position, and killed the remaining crew with rifle fire. Another enemy machine gun opened fire approximately 15 yards away and inflicted additional casualties to the group and stopped the attack. When Cpl. Ingman charged the second position he was hit by grenade fragments and a hail of fire which seriously wounded him about the face and neck and knocked him to the ground. With incredible courage and stamina, he arose instantly and, using only his rifle, killed the entire guncrew before falling unconscious from his wounds. As a result of the singular action by Cpl. Ingman the defense of the enemy was broken, his squad secured its objective, and more than 100 hostile troops abandoned their weapons and fled in disorganized retreat. Cpl. Ingman's indomitable courage, extraordinary heroism, and superb leadership reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the infantry and the U.S. Army.


Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for a few things. First, I am very thankful that college basketball is about to tip-off. My Winthrop Eagles get the season started this Saturday when they face some college named after my Dad’s high school. Oh boy I hope they win. The Eagles have a new coaching staff (all pretty much my age or younger) and a few new players. I’m excited to see everyone and to get an idea of what kind of season it’s going to be. Jeremy and I have our season tickets and we still have our front row/mid-court seats… so at the very least we’ve got that going for us (which is nice).

I am also thankful that we live in a country where we vote and then get on with our lives. About half of the voters voted for the guy who lost. But life is going on. People aren’t taking to the street with guns trying to get their way. I don’t know how the next four years will go, but I do know that at the end of it we’ll be doing this all over again.  Most of the people I voted for won, but not all of them.  Now all I can do is pray for those who won and hope they lead us in the right direction. 

Last and most importantly, I’ve thankful that I had another email read on the Tony Kornheiser Show this past Tuesday. This was the second email I’ve had read on the show (the first was last fall). Life, my friends, is good.