[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 144 (Thursday, September 7, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SERGEANT (SGT) 
                           MATTHEW LEE INGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army 
Sergeant. (SGT) Matthew Lee Ingram who paid the ultimate sacrifice 
while defending our great nation on August 21, 2009, during Operation 
Enduring Freedom. SGT Ingram was killed when an improvised explosive 
device detonated near his military vehicle in Kunar Province, 
Afghanistan. The blast occurred while his unit was under small arms 
fire from enemy forces. SGT Ingram was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 
12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, 
Fort Carson, Colorado.
  SGT Ingram grew up in eastern Mississippi, where he attended Newton 
High School. He played wide receiver on the school's football team. He 
enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2003 and completed his basic training at 
Fort Benning, Georgia. Following basic training, SGT Ingram was 
assigned to South Korea, where he spent 10 months before his entire 
brigade was deployed to Iraq from 2004 until 2005. In 2006, SGT Ingram 
married his wife, Holly, while stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. They 
had one daughter, Chloe. That same year, SGT Ingram deployed to Iraq 
for a second tour. In May 2009, SGT Ingram deployed to Afghanistan.
  Mississippi lawmakers recognized SGT Ingram for his service and 
sacrifice. The Resolution was adopted by the Senate and the House 
during the 2010 regular session. It states that, ``SGT Ingram was a 
loving father, husband and son who is counted among America's heroes, 
committed to our nation's safety and security.'' It further states 
that, ``Mississippians understand the costs of conflict because we have 
paid them in the past.''
  SGT Ingram's earned the Purple Heart, Army Commendation medal, Army 
Achievement medal, two Army Good Conduct medals, National Defense 
Service medal, Korea Defense Service medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal 
with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Global 
War on Terrorism Service medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge.
  In 2009, Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS) introduced a bill to name 
the United States Post Office at 7464 Highway 503, Hickory, Mississippi 
in SGT Ingram's honor. H.R. 4139, the ``Matthew L. Ingram Post Office'' 
Designation Act, passed by unanimous consent in the House and the 
Senate and was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010.
  SGT Ingram is survived by his wife, Holly; his daughter, Chloe; his 
parents, James and Patricia Ingram; and his older brother, Jamie.
  SGT Ingram's commitment to protect America will always be remembered.

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