By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor
OSHKOSH – U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced legislation on Wednesday, Feb. 5 that would rename the Tomahawk Post Office, located at 311 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Tomahawk, after Einar “Sarge” H. Ingman Jr.
The bipartisan bill would officially change the post office’s name to the “Einar ‘Sarge’ H. Ingman, Jr. Post Office Building.”
Ingman was born on Oct. 6, 1929 in Milwaukee and grew up on a farm near Tomahawk. He joined the Army in 1948, hoping to work with heavy machinery, but instead served as an infantryman.
As a corporal serving with Company E, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, Ingman was among two squads of men tasked with assaulting a fortified ridge-top position near the town of Malta-ri in Korea on Feb. 26, 1951. When both squad leaders were wounded, Ingman combined the squads and took command. After making a radio call for artillery and tank support, he led his soldiers against the position, encouraging them and directing their fire.
Ingman suffered serious wounds from both gunfire and a hand grenade explosion. After he fell unconscious, his men went on to capture their objective and force the opposing troops into a disorganized retreat.
On July 5, 1951, Ingman, recently promoted to sergeant, was flown from Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek, Mich., to Washington, D.C., where President Harry Truman presented him with the Medal of Honor.
After being discharged from the Army, Ingman returned to the Tomahawk area, residing in Irma. He passed away on Sept. 9, 2015, at the age of 85.
Bronsted-Searl-Ingman American Legion Post 93 in Tomahawk is named after Ingman, along with Tomahawk area veterans Henry E. Bronsted and Charles J. Searl. Veterans of Foreign Wars Wurl-Feind-Ingman Post 93 in Tomahawk is also named after Ingman.
“Einar ‘Sarge’ Ingman is a true American hero,” said Johnson in a statement from Feb. 5. “No words can describe Sergeant Ingman better than his Medal of Honor citation which noted his ‘indomitable courage, extraordinary heroism, and superb leadership’ in his service to country. Renaming this Tomahawk post office in his honor is a fitting tribute to a man whose service and story should never be forgotten”.
“Einar Ingman’s strength and courage during the Korean War lives on through the freedoms we all cherish,” Baldwin said. “I’m proud to do right by Mr. Ingman and his family by designating the Tomahawk Post Office building in his name. Einar was an American hero who should have his service and sacrifice to our nation honored.”