Honoring an army of one Editor’s Note: In July, the Civilian Marksmanship Program presented an M1 rifle to Einar Ingman on the 50th anniversary of his receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor. The following is a reprint of an article chronicling the event: By Michael Truslow: Tomahawk Leader Tomahawk, Wisconsin It was 50 years ago, on July 5, 1951, that Einar Ingman was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War. Friends, family and neighbors gathered Thursday for a surprise celebration in Ingman’s honor. Einar Ingman salutes attendees upon receiving  an M-1 rifle at a surprise gathering in his honor. Ingman used this type of weapon as an infantryman  in the Korean War. “I thought this was a fund raiser of the Tomahawk Historical Society,” a noticeably moved Ingman said. Local veterans’ groups and Ingman’s wife, Mardelle, had arranged the evening. “I hid the newspaper from Einar all week, because there was a notice for the event and I wanted to surprise him,” she noted. Representing the Bronsted-Searl post of the American Legion, Ed Nyberg was the evening’s master of ceremonies. “There are so few Medal of Honor recipients,” Nyberg observed. “We are fortunate to have a hero like Einar Ingman in our community.” Einar Ingman wearing the Congressional Medal of Honor he received 50 years ago. Also on hand was Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Mary Johnson. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Johnson was part of General Schwartzkoff’s staff. “To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Ingman was presented with an M-1 rifle, the infantryman’s weapon during the Korean War. “When faced with superior force, Sgt. Ingman attacked two machine gun emplacements,” Johnson said. “So fierce was his attack that over 100 enemy soldiers fled in terror,” she added. Johnson mentioned the current U.S. Army slogan, “Be an army of one,” as she presented Ingman with the M-1 rifle. “Sgt. Ingman truly was an army of one 50 years ago,” she said. The rifle was donated by the Civilian Marksmanship Program, according to Nyberg. “After World War II, Congress created the Civilian Marksmanship Program,” he said. “Unused weapons are given to the organization at the end of the war.” Johnson pointed out that the group has received weapons from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. “The weapons are sometimes given to exceptional veterans. I can’t think of a more worthy recipient than Sgt. Einar Ingman,” she said. After the presentation, people danced to polka tunes provided by the musical group Finn Power. As a tribute to Ingman, the group learned “The Army Song,” and also played “God Bless America.” Near the end of the evening Ingman expressed his view that he was not special. “Anyone would have done the same thing,” he said. “All soldiers are heroes.” Those assembled to honor the man politely disagreed. Captions for photographs: Einar Ingman salutes attendees upon receiving an M-1 rifle at a surprise gathering in his honor. Ingman carried an M1 Garand rifle as an infantryman in the Korean War. Einar Ingman wearing the Congressional Medal of Honor he received 50 years ago. (Photos by Michael Truslow)