Colonel Unger was a decorated veteran of World War II. He served with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. He died of other causes in Korea on 16 March 1951.

For his leadership and valor, Colonel Unger was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Army Commendation Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.