Honor the Fallen - Ross McGinnis - CMH Recipient
Catch the story at Blackfive. He was awarded the CMH today. His father said his son's action was a case of simple kindergarten math...4 lives and 1
Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to
Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis
United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.
That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.
Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Comment by Burns— 2008/06/03 @ 04:13 AM — (Reply)
Hand... Salute!
Comment by FJ— 2008/06/03 @ 05:03 AM — (Reply)
They certainly do burns...I've had the honor of serving with some of the bravest men I know
Comment by elmers brother— 2008/06/03 @ 05:30 AM — (Reply)
Comment by Brooke— 2008/06/03 @ 08:01 AM — (Reply)
What a brave young soldier!
such honor and dignity...
God bless Pvt. McGinnis.
Comment by Pinky— 2008/06/03 @ 08:06 AM — (Reply)
Where's the MSM on this story? Today's media ignores the modern Audie Murphys and Sgt Yorks.
Comment by kevin— 2008/06/03 @ 09:07 AM — (Reply)
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/06/03 @ 09:12 AM — (Reply)
The media won't celebrate anything American unless it celebrates their agenda. Another sickening example.
THIS guy is a SUPER HERO (as are his family); They should make a film. (as if)
Comment by z— 2008/06/03 @ 09:16 AM — (Reply)
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/06/03 @ 09:35 AM — (Reply)
I heard his father talk about him in an interview yesterday, he was an unassuming teenager that underneath it all, was a super hero. What a great young man.
Comment by Joe Gringo— 2008/06/04 @ 07:15 AM — (Reply)