Staff Sergeant Ingman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1929.
![]() |
Einar H. Ingman Jr. |
Ingman grew up on a nearby farm and joined the Army hoping to learn heavy equipment, but was assigned to the infantry. His heroic action occurred near Maltari, Korea, on February 26, 1951 when he was a corporal with the Seventh Infantry Division in Korea and his unit was tasked with attacking an enemy position. When the squad leaders were wounded, Ingman combined the two units and led the assault. He destroyed one of the machine gun nests and was advancing on the other when shot in the face. He unflinchingly continued his assault on the second nest killing the enemy soldiers with his bayonet before losing consciousness. It inspired his men to press the attack until the enemy broke into a disorganized retreat.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman at a White House ceremony on July 5, 1951.
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION STAFF SERGEANT EINAR H. INGMAN, JR.
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.
Outstanding Soldier.
R.I.P. Hero