Ross Andrew McGinnis (14 June 1987
– 4 December 2006) was a soldier in the United States Army who
was killed in action on December 4, 2006 during the Iraq War
when he threw himself on a live grenade thereby saving the lives
of at least four other soldiers. For his action, McGinnis was
posthumously promoted to specialist and awarded the Medal of
Honor as well as the Silver Star and Purple Heart. His family
was presented the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush on
June 2, 2008 at a ceremony at the White House.
Since the beginning of the Iraq War, McGinnis is one of four
known servicemen who have thrown themselves on a live grenade;
the others being Marine Corporal Jason Dunham, Navy SEAL Petty
Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, and Marine Sergeant Rafael
Peralta. McGinnis is the fourth recipient of the Medal of Honor
in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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. |