[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12017-S12018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. Mack and Mr. Bumpers):
  S. 1428. A bill to waive time limitations specified by law in order 
to allow the Medal of Honor to be awarded to be awarded to Robert R. 
Ingram of Jacksonville, Florida, for acts of valor while a Navy 
Hospital Corpsman in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam 
conflict; to the Committee on Armed Services.


              the robert r. ingram recognition act of 1997

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to urge passage of a private 
bill that will honor a man that served this country with honor and 
bravery. This bill will allow Robert R. Ingram to receive the Medal of 
Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk to his life 
above and beyond the call of duty.
  Robert R. Ingram served as Corpsman with Company C, First Battalion, 
Seventh Marines in Vietnam. On March 28, 1966, Corpsman Ingram 
accompanied Marine point platoon as it dispatched an outpost of a North 
Vietnam Aggressor battalion in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of 
Vietnam. They were sabotaged by the Vietnamese, and the platoon was 
decimated, suffering numerous casualties. Corpsman Ingram was himself 
injured four times during the attack while he administered first aid to 
other members of his platoon.
  Enduring the pain from his many injuries and disregarding his own 
life, Corpsman Ingram's selfless actions saved many U.S. soldiers that 
day. By his indomitable fighting spirit, daring initiative, and 
unfaltering dedication to duty, Corpsman Ingram clearly earned the 
Medal of Honor as a result of his actions. However, the Navy failed to 
process an award, and Corpsman Ingram received no official commendation 
for his actions. The men with whom he served that fateful day, and the 
men whose lives he saved, all feel that a commendation is due. However, 
there is no evidence of an award recommendation.

[[Page S12018]]

  Mr. President, it is time that Robert R. Ingram receives an honor 
that should have been bestowed upon him over thirty years ago. This 
bill calls for the time limitations in Section 6248 to be waived so 
that this action may be taken.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the full text of the 
legislation be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1428

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AUTHORITY FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF HONOR TO ROBERT R. 
                   INGRAM FOR VALOR DURING THE VIETNAM CONFLICT.

       (a) Waiver of Time Limitations.--Notwithstanding the time 
     limitations specified in section 6248 of title 10, United 
     States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the 
     awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the naval 
     service, the President may award the Medal of Honor under 
     section 6241 of that title to Robert R. Ingram of 
     Jacksonville, Florida, for the acts of valor referred to in 
     subsection (b).
       (b) Action Described.--The acts of valor referred to in 
     subsection (a) are the actions of Robert R. Ingram on March 
     28, 1966, as a Hospital Corpsman Third Class in the Navy 
     serving in the Republic of Vietnam with Company C of the 
     First Battalion, Seventh Marines, during a combat operation 
     designated as Operation Indiana.
                                 ______