By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
TOMAHAWK – In celebration of National Medal Honor Day on Thursday, March 25, it feels appropriate to take a look back on the life, heroism, and legacy of Irma resident Einar “Sarge” H. Ingman Jr., who received the medal nearly 70 years ago.
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 in the Rose Garden at the White House.
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.
Ingman is one of 63 Wisconsin residents to receive the Medal of Honor, according to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. 22 Wisconsinites who fought in the Civil War received the medal, while seven were awarded for those involved in the Frontier Wars from 1865 to 1891. One Spanish War veteran, one Philippine-American veteran, and one Boxer Rebellion – China Relief Expedition veteran, each from Wisconsin, received the medal. Two World War I veterans and 16 World War II veterans from the state were awarded the medal. Ingman was among five Wisconsinites, including one from Wausau, to receive the medal for their actions during the Korean War. Six Vietnam residents from Wisconsin were awarded the Medal of Honor.
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 2687 in Tomahawk also bears Ingman’s name.
Last year, Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced legislation seeking to rename the Tomahawk Post Office, located at 311 W. Wisconsin Ave., after Ingman. The bill was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on Dec. 30, 2020.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has not yet announced an official date for the renaming ceremony, according to Tomahawk Postmaster Scott Klinger.