*INGALLS, GEORGE ALAN
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth
Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place
and date: Near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam, 16 April 1967. Entered service at:
Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 9 March 1946, Hanford, Calif.
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. Two quiet
hours passed without incident, then suddenly a handgrenade 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.
