William W. Ingenhutt

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel William Weeks Ingenhutt, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as Group Leader of twenty-four F-84 type aircraft, 474th Fighter-Bomber Wing, Fifth Air Force, in a devastating bombing attack on the Sui Ho power complex on 15 February 1953. The target was of such importance to the enemy that it was the most heavily defended in North Korea, both by anti-aircraft weapons and by enemy fighter interceptors. The location of the target on the Manchurian boundary was such that error in navigation or bombing would have caused and international incident. In face of the enemy’s virtually impenetrable defenses, Colonel Ingenhutt, demonstrating courageous leadership and superior pilotage, led and directed the attack so skillfully that the power complex was rendered useless to the enemy, while no loss or battle damage to his own forces was sustained. This valorous act by Colonel Ingenhutt was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Air Force, and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.