Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott presented the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Army Sergeant Rickey Wittner and to the family of Navy SEAL Special Warfare Operator First Class Nathan Gage Ingram at the Texas Capitol. The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration conferred to a service member of the Texas military forces.
“Today, we honor two men who answered the call for our nation,” said Governor Abbott. “They continued a tradition of heroism that the United States of America was built on. We will never forget the sacrifices they made for our country and for their fellow service members.”
The Governor was also joined at the ceremony by Senator Brent Hagenbuch, Senator Tan Parker, Representative Ben Bumgarner, Representative Cole Hefner, Representative Joanne Shofner, and Texas Military Department Adjutant General Thomas Suelzer.
Army Sergeant Rickey Wittner was awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor in recognition of his valorous actions on July 10, 1970. He demonstrated bravery in the face of grave danger, saving 12 lives.
Navy SEAL Special Warfare Operator First Class Nathan Gage Ingram was posthumously awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor in recognition of his extraordinary courage, heroic action, and selfless dedication to duty on January 11, 2024. Without hesitation or regard for his own safety, he voluntarily entered the water in an attempt to save the life of his teammate. Ingram gave his life to uphold the highest traditions of the United States Naval service.
U.S. Army Sergeant Rickey Wittner enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1969 and underwent helicopter training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, before beginning his service in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company, 269th Aviation Battalion. In recognition of his actions on July 10, 1970, Specialist Wittner was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism; he also received the Purple Heart and the Air Medal. Following the completion of his active-duty army service in 1975 at the rank of Specialist Fifth Class, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve, transferring to the Texas Army National Guard headquarters company in Marshall as a member of the 5th Battalion, 112th Armor. In 1987, he was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant.
Nathan Gage Ingram, Navy Seal Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class was a beloved husband, son, brother, and friend who was lost at sea while on a night mission off the coast of Somalia. Gage enlisted in the Navy on September 25, 2019, and graduated boot camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois on November 22, 2019. He graduated Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training Class 346 in December 2021 and reported to his first operational tour as SEAL Team THREE. Gage’s awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and other personal and unit awards.
