The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Roger Ingvalson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 3 May 1968. On that date, Major Ingvalson led a flight of four F-105’s on multiple low angle strafing passes against a large North Vietnamese petroleum storage area. Attacking aggressively in the face of thirty-seven millimeter antiaircraft fire, Major Ingvalson’s flight, inspired by his outstanding example, destroyed eight hundred barrels of fuel. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Ingvalson reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 28, 1968 – March 14, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Roger Ingvalson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 28 May 1968 to 14 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
February 14, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Roger Ingvalson, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Aircraft of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over North Vietnam on 14 February 1968. On that date, Major Ingvalson exhibited extraordinary courage as a member of a surface to air missile suppression flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs assigned to protect a large strike force. Despite electronic equipment malfunctions his aggressiveness and skill enabled him to successfully decoy numerous surface to air missiles as well as intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire away from the main force and to his own aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Ingvalson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1971
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Roger Ingvalson, United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during September 1971. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 28, 1968 – March 14, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Roger Ingvalson, United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 28, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 5, 1971 – April 29, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Roger Ingvalson, United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period from 5 October 1971 to 29 April 1972. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 6, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Roger Ingvalson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 6 May 1968. On that date, Major Ingvalson led a flight of two F-105’s in a daring low level missile attack against an important railway bridge. Despite the presence of heavy antiaircraft defenses in the target area, Major Ingvalson skillfully maneuvered his aircraft beneath a low overcast to attain the proper launch conditions. He then remained exposed and highly vulnerable while tracking his missile to a direct hit which destroyed the bridge. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Ingvalson reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
March 4, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Roger Ingvalson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot in the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam on 4 March 1968. On that date, Major Ingvalson, despite a low ceiling, mountainous terrain, and constant hostile fire, skillfully and aggressively led his flight in repeated low level attacks on a hostile supply column, successfully destroying nine out of a total of twelve heavily laden trucks. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Ingvalson reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.