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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Robert R. Ingram, USN
President Bill Clinton reflects on the heroic efforts of former U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Robert R. Ingram (right) before presenting him with the Medal of Honor in the State Dining Room of the White House. Ingram received the military's highest award for his gallant actions during the Vietnam War when, shot four times, crawled through the battle field treating and encouraging his fellow platoon members. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Todd Stevens.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary July 10, 1998
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN PRESENTATION OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR ON ROBERT R. INGRAM
State Dining Room
3:18 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Welcome. Thank you, Admiral, for your invocation. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the White House. I thank Secretary Cohen and Secretary West, Secretary Gober, Deputy Secretary Hamre, Secretary Dalton, Secretary Caldera, Acting Air Force Secretary Peters, General Shelton, and other members of the Joint Chiefs, and general officers here present today. I thank the members of the Congress from the Florida delegation who are here, and other members of Congress, including Senator Thurmond, Senator Graham, Senator Mack, Senator Glenn, Senator Cleland, Representative Brown, Representative McHale, and all those in Congress whose action helped to make this day possible.
Today we present the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military honor, to Robert R. Ingram for extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty on March 28, 1966, in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam.
Today, more than 30 years later, Bob Ingram is manager of a medical service practice in Jacksonville, a registered nurse, a man who loves to work on cars. His wife, Doris, his children and his close friends are here with us today, and we welcome them.
His story spans decades and continents, but across these divides friendship and loyalty have endured and have brought us to this moment. Mr. Ingram enlisted in the Navy in 1963 and joined the Hospital Corps. He went to Vietnam with Company C, 1st Battalion,7th Marines, in July, 1965.
One day in February of 1966, the company came under heavy fire and Petty Officer Ingram rushed forward to treat the wounded. Enemy bullets punctured both his canteens. When the unit's machine gunner was hit, he manned the gun. And for his bravery on that day, he received the Silver Star.
On March 28, 1966, Petty Officer Ingram accompanied the point platoon of his company as it was suddenly attacked by 100 North Vietnamese in a hail of automatic rifle fire. In moments, the platoon was decimated. Oblivious to the danger, he crawled across the terrain to reach a wounded Marine. While administering aid, a bullet went through his hand. After administering aid there he heard more calls for a corpsman. Still bleeding, he edged across the fire-swept landscape, collecting ammunition from the dead, and attending to the wounded, receiving two additional wounds from rifle fire.
Though severely wounded, he continued administering aid to the wounded and the dying Marines while gathering ammunition and encouraging others, capable of doing so, to return fire. While dressing the head wound of another corpsman he sustained his fourth wound. Enduring extreme pain from his own wounds and disregarding the probability of his own death, Petty Officer Ingram pushed, pulled, cajoled, and doctored his Marines for hours more. Losing strength and almost unrecognizable from his injuries, finally he was pulled to safety, where he tried to refuse evacuation, saying that others should go first. His vital signs dropped to the point that he was tagged "killed in action" and placed in a dead pile.
But, as you can see, he did not die. Eleven members of Charlie Company, however, were killed that day, and 53 more were wounded. Some are alive today because of the extraordinary selflessness and bravery of Robert Ingram.
Harvey Kappeler, a Corporal in the lead platoon, wrote last year, "I observed Robert Ingram perform acts of heroism I have never seen before, during, or after my tour of Vietnam." Mr. Ingram later recalled, "I was just doing my job -- my job was to take care of the men."
Three weeks after the attack, he wrote his platoon from his hospital bed: "I've got a tube in my throat, leg elevated, arm elevated, can't move, but I wanted you all to know I'm still alive." After eight months recovering, he went back to sea on another deployment.
Other members of the company were honored for their bravery on that day in March of 1966, but no one doubted that Robert Ingram deserved the highest honor. We don't know how his citation got lost all those years ago, but we do know why he is here today --because his friends never forgot what he did for them.
Jim Fulkerson commanded the 3rd Platoon of Charlie Company. In 1995, he organized a reunion of members of the battalion, including Bob Ingram. They remembered the war, the endless cold, soaking rains, the terrible firefights. And Ingram's friends resolved to do everything possible to ensure that America finally gave him appropriate recognition.
Charlie Company's commander, Ben Goodwyn, wrote to General Krulak, "I saw my fair share of combat in Vietnam. Of all the men I brought with me, Doc Ingram was undoubtedly the most courageous."
Mr. Ingram is the 22nd Navy corpsman to receive the Medal of Honor, and his reward comes appropriately as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Navy Hospital Corps. Through all our conflicts, they have been there on ships at sea, on the front lines, performing foxhole surgery, saving thousands of lives while risking and sometimes sacrificing their own. I salute their courageous service to our nation.
The last troops left Vietnam almost 25 years ago now. But we do not, and we must not, forget their sacrifices and bravery. As Mr. Kappeler recently wrote of the firefight in Quang Ngai that day, "As I grow old, I look back to that day, and the heroism of the Marines and our Navy Corpsman, and I understand what is meant by the highest traditions of service. I am extremely proud to call Robert Ingram a friend."
On that battlefield so many years ago, Robert Ingram performed truly heroic deeds, and asked for nothing in return. At long last, it is time to honor him.
Mr. Ingram, on behalf of all Americans, we thank you for your service, for your courage, for your determination, for your loyalty to comrades and country. We are all proud to call you an American. Hillary and I are proud that you are in the White House with us today, and I am very proud to award you the Medal of Honor.
Major Everhart, read the citation.
(The Medal of Honor is presented.)
1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Vinh Loc, Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam
Born: 1945, Clearwater, Fla.
Entered service at: Clearwater, Fla.
Other Award: Silver Star
The President of the United States,
in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting
the MEDAL OF HONOR to:
HOSPITAL CORPSMAN THIRD CLASS
ROBERT R. INGRAM
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Corpsman with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines against elements of a North Vietnam Aggressor (NVA) battalion in Quang Ngai Province Republic of Vietnam on 28 March 1966. Petty Officer Ingram accompanied the point platoon as it aggressively dispatched an outpost of an NVA battalion. The momentum of the attack rolled off a ridge line down a tree covered slope to a small paddy and a village beyond. Suddenly, the village tree line exploded with an intense hail of automatic rifle fire from approximately 100 North Vietnamese regulars. In mere moments, the platoon ranks were decimated. Oblivious to the danger, Petty Officer Ingram crawled across the bullet spattered terrain to reach a downed Marine. As he administered aid, a bullet went through the palm of his hand. Calls for "CORPSMAN" echoed across the ridge. Bleeding, he edged across the fire swept landscape, collecting ammunition from the dead and administering aid to the wounded. Receiving two more wounds before realizing the third wound was life-threatening, he looked for a way off the face of the ridge, but again he heard the call for corpsman and again, he resolutely answered. Though severely wounded three times, he rendered aid to those incapable until he finally reached the right flank of the platoon. While dressing the head wound of another corpsman, he sustained his fourth bullet wound. From sixteen hundred hours until just prior to sunset, Petty Officer Ingram pushed, pulled, cajoled, and doctored his Marines. Enduring the pain from his many wounds and disregarding the probability of his demise, Petty Officer Ingram's intrepid actions saved many lives that day. By his indomitable fighting spirit, daring initiative, and unfaltering dedications to duty, Petty Officer Ingram reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Naval Station Mayport Clinic Honors Medal of Honor Awardee
Release Date: 3/30/2004 10:23:00 AM
By Loren Barnes, Naval Hospital Jacksonville Public Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- March 26, Naval Hospital Jacksonville and Naval Dental Center Southeast dedicated a new Branch Medical and Dental Clinic to former Navy Hospital Corpsman and Medal of Honor Recipient Robert R. Ingram at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
Surgeon General of the Navy Vice Adm. Michael Cowan and Ingram were featured speakers.
Cowan said Navy Medicine owes its successes to "those who went before us."
We are standing on the shoulders of giants, he said. "That tradition of service continues as we face, in this global war on terrorism, a war for civilization itself--a war that may not be over until a new building is again dedicated on this site. We will triumph in this battle because of the quality of people, the warriors and the caretakers of the warriors that we have today, he said.
Cmdr. Thomas Balestrieri, Branch Medical Clinic Mayports officer in charge throughout the development and construction phases of the new facility, introduced Ingram.
This building will stand as a lasting statement of who this man is and what he represents--gallantry while serving. We wanted this building to reflect a message of selflessness--honor, courage, commitment and tradition.
President William J. Clinton presented the Medal of Honor to Ingram, a Clearwater, Fla., native, June 10, 1998, in recognition of his bravery and dedication while serving in 1966. Ingram was a Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, combating elements of a North Vietnam Army (NVA) battalion in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, when the point platoon he was accompanying aggressively engaged an outpost of an NVA battalion. After finding themselves under heavy fire, the platoon was decimated. Despite life threatening wounds, Ingram gallantly came to the aid of his fallen servicemen and continued the fight, treating the wounded, giving encouragement and carrying ammunition.
"This dedication is not about me, its about a time when I was part of a team, Ingram said. Charlie Company took me in and made me part of a team. Our bonds are far beyond imagination.
He challenged the clinics staff to form such a team. Our lives and our way of life are dependent upon you, he said.
Ground was broken June 5, 2002, for the $22 million construction project. The 102,000 square-foot building nearly doubles the previous 59,000 square-foot Medical/Dental Clinic. The medical clinics 25 physicians and 170 support personnel see 100,000 patients annually, and the dental clinic, with 14 dentists and hygienists, treats about 30,000 patients a year.
Improvements include a state-of-the-art pharmacy, a digital radiology system capable of sending information worldwide, and an expanded medical records area. There are smart boards in each conference room, and the impressive rotunda entrance area includes a virtual quarterdeck equipped with a wide-screen television and continuous educational programming. The new clinic allows the staff to bring services currently found in outlying buildings under one roof. It also allows space for additional specialty care, including dermatology, urology, neurology, and ear, nose and throat specialists.
The dental clinic has 26 dental operatories with state-of-the-art digital radiography and microscopic visual capabilities. The clinics general dentistry and specialty care, including endodontics, prosthodontics, implants, oral surgery and prediodontics, results in an annual dental health benefit of more than $11 million.
For related news, visit the Naval Hospital Jacksonville Navy News Stand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nhjax .
"Corpsman Up"
History of the Hospital Corps
Although corpsmen go back to the very beginning of the Navy, it was over 100 years ago, in June 1898 that the Hospital Corps was officially established.
In 1814, Navy Regulations mention a "loblolly boy" who was to serve the surgeon and the surgeon's mate. The loblolly boy prepared for battle by filling containers with water to hold amputated limbs. In addition, his duties called for maintaining the braziers of charcoal to heat the tar which was used to stop the hemorrhaging from the amputations. Keeping the deck safe for the surgeon around the operating area was a duty during battle. The deck, slippery with blood, was to be treated with buckets of sand. Sounds gruesome, but cannon balls and cutlasses were not tidy weapons and amputation was the standard treatment for compound fractures.
The "surgeon's steward" replaced the loblolly boy. Recognizing the need for additional trained help, surgeons selected promising young men for training in elementary medicine. More than a clean up person, this specialist is probably the true forerunner of today's corpsman.
When Congress established the Hospital Corps, the Secretary of the Navy appointed 25 senior "apothecaries" as Pharmacists. These 25 are the charter members of the Hospital Corps.
Twenty-two Navy Corpsman have been awarded the Medal of Honor, America's Highest Decoration, for extreme heroism. Many were awarded posthumously.
The Hospital Corps Pledge
I solemnly pledge myself before God and these witnesses to practice faithfully all of my duties as a member of the Hospital Corps.
I hold the care of the sick and injured to be a privilege and a sacred trust and will assist the Medical Officer with loyalty and honesty.
I will not knowingly permit harm to come to any patient.
I will not partake of nor administer any unauthorized medication.
I will hold all personal matters pertaining to the private lives of patients in strict confidence.
I dedicate my heart, mind, and strength to the work before me.
I shall do all within my power to show in myself an example of all that is honorable and good throughout my naval career.
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