INGVALSON, ROGER DEAN Name: Roger Dean Ingvalson Rank/Branch: O4/United States Air Force Unit: 34th TFS Date of Birth: 20 June 1928 Home City of Record: Austin MN Date of Loss: 28 May 1968 Country of Loss: North Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 173000 North 1063300 East Status (in 1973): Returnee Category: Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F105D Missions: 87 Other Personnel in Incident: none Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. REMARKS: 730314 RELEASED BY DRV SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977 Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602 Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and spelling errors). UPDATE - 09/95 by the P.O.W. NETWORK, Skidmore, MO ROGER D. INGVALSON Lieutenant Colonel - United States Air Force Shot Down: May 28, 1968 Released: March 14, 1973 I was born in Austin, Minnesota 20 June 1928. I attended Austin Junior College and the University of Minnesota. I entered the U.S. Air Force 3 August 1950 and received my wings from the Aviation Cadet program in April 1953. My entire military career was spent in operational organization flying jet fighter aircraft with overseas assignments in Iceland and Okinawa. I was operations officer of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Air Force Base, Thailand when I was shot down on 28 May 1968. My late wife, Jacqueline, and I were married in 1959. Jackie passed away on 24 June 1971 from multiple sclerosis complicated by pneumonia. My 13 year old son, Craig, was cared for by my in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Legere, in Sanford, Maine. Craig and I plan to vacation in Europe with my mother, Mrs. Ida Ingvalson, this summer (1973) prior to attending the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama next fall. Our prayers were answered when we finally returned to the "land of the free and home of the brave." The good Lord blessed me with good health and, through the American people, has brought me home. While in captivity, I heard of the "unrest" in the States but my thoughts were confirmed when I came home and learned that the majority of the American people were really behind us and President Nixon. Through the tons of letters which they wrote, plus their endless efforts in our behalf, they proved to our enemy that the American people really are not weak. Our great President displayed his unfailing strength as the leader of our democracy by assuring that we be released from captivity. Now that we, the known POWs are home, I hope that no one will stop their efforts because there are hundreds of men we still have no word of. My son waited for me for five years but now I am home. The loved ones of the "Missing in Action" are still waiting. They need our prayers. Every possible effort should be made to learn of their status and to assure each living American that he has a chance to come back to this freedom which I have learned to enjoy so much once again. Update - 1997 Roger Ingvalson was shot down on his 87 mission over North Vietnam. He was the pilot in a single seat F-105D when he was captured 05/28/68. He endured 20 months in solitary, and torture that included ropes and leg irons. Roger Ingvalson retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel in January of 1976. After his release, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit, the DFC with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the POW medal. He has remarried he and his wife Booncy reside in Tennessee. Since his retirement, the Colonel has spent 15 years operating a prison ministry that he founded. He enjoys golf, and continues his mission work. He ministry has recently taken him to the Ukraine. Roger and Bouncy now have 4 sons and four grandsons. =================
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