George A Ingalls
George was born on the 9th of March, 1946, in Hanford, California, and grew up in the area near Corona High School, where he played football and basketball. He graduated in 1964 and two years later, he enlisted in the US Army in Los Angeles. When George deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, he was a Specialist Four with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) and it was his actions on the 16th of April, 1967, that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The 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.
On the 30th of January, 1969, George’s family received his Medal of Honor from the secretary of the Army in a ceremony at the Pentagon. George Alan Ingalls was 21 years old at the time of his death and he is buried in the Crestlawn Memorial Park in Riverside, California: Vesperland Section, Grave A-620. His name also appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Panel 18E, Line 35.
