SSgt. Mathew N. Ingham
Died: January 11, 2010
SSgt. Matthew N. Ingham, of Altoona, Pa.
Matthew was his own man. A quiet, reserved person, who was fun loving and carefree with those he knew and loved. A natural-born leader, he was bright with a magnetic personality. Growing up he thought some day he’d be a game warden. An expert shooter, he could hit a bulls-eye at a thousand yards.
The events of 9-11 set off a spark in Matt and he enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of 2002. Matt served two tours of duty in Iraq, and was among the first wave of Marines to enter Iraq back in 2003.
In the fall of 2009 he left for Afghanistan as part of a reconnaissance team with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force based at Okinawa, Japan.
Matt and several other Marines, were caught in an ambush. Although wounded, Matt was able to call for assistance. Gravely wounded, Matt and two other Marines, Cpl. Jamie R. Lowe and Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski, died. His platoon leader said Matt was the number 1 Marine he’d ever had.
His awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal ISAF, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.