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.
February 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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