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Home Front: WoT
Soldier who smothered grenade to get Medal of Honor
2008-05-02
Spc. Ross McGinnis, who was killed Dec. 4, 2006, in Iraq when he smothered a grenade with his body, will receive the Medal of Honor, sources told Army Times.

McGinnis, 19, is the second soldier to receive the nationÂ’s highest valor award for actions while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who was killed April 4, 2003, fighting off insurgents in a fierce firefight south of Baghdad, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor two years after he died.

McGinnis, of 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, is credited with saving the lives of four fellow soldiers.

On Dec. 4, 2006, McGinnis was manning the turret in the last Humvee of a six-vehicle patrol in Adhamiyah in northeast Baghdad when an insurgent threw a grenade from the roof of a nearby building. “Grenade!” yelled McGinnis, who was manning the vehicle's M2 .50-caliber machine gun. McGinnis, facing backwards because he was in the rear vehicle, tried to deflect the grenade but it fell into the Humvee and lodged between the radios.

As he stood up to get ready to jump out of the vehicle, as he had been trained to do, McGinnis realized the other four soldiers in the Humvee did not know where the grenade had landed and did not have enough time to escape. McGinnis, a native of Knox, Pa., threw his back against the radio mount, where the grenade was lodged, and smothered the explosive with his body.

The grenade exploded, hitting McGinnis on his sides and lower back, under his vest. He was killed instantly. The other four men survived.

McGinnis, who was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, will be honored during a ceremony at the White House. The ceremony is expected to take place sometime in June.

ItÂ’s longstanding Army policy not to comment on the status of Medal of Honor nominations. The sources who confirmed the information to Army Times asked to remain anonymous. When contacted by Army Times, McGinnisÂ’s parents declined to comment.

In addition to McGinnis and Smith, two other service members have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq: Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham and Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor. Only one Medal of Honor has been awarded for actions in Afghanistan, to Lt. Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL. Each of those awards was presented posthumously.
Posted by:tu3031

#5  I've often thought the U.S. Post Office should have a commemorative series of stamps honoring the people who have earned the MOH. Each would have their picture on a such a stamp. I don't know about the practicality of doing this since there a considerable number of MOH winners. It would serve to educate people about our heroes and to remind us that some have performed selfless acts to save others or give all for their comrades.
Posted by: JohnQC   2008-05-02 18:47  

#4  Bobby, the honourable junior senator from Massachusetts threw his medals away, whether in reality or only in show. So he hasn't counted as a Silver Star recipient ever since, even if he does fondle it in private. No matter what he may claim now.
Posted by: trailing wife    2008-05-02 17:14  

#3  But some will get the Silver Star, same as John Kerry.

I guess that makes me bitter.
Posted by: Bobby   2008-05-02 17:01  

#2  I too am disapointed that the services (and Congress) have seen fit to raise the bar so high on "The Medal" that no living soldier can recieve it.

It saddens me - because I know that some amung our current crop of heroes deserves this honor - but won't receive it.
Posted by: Leigh   2008-05-02 16:58  

#1  While deserving, these four Medal of Honor recipients will never walk among us. They will never meet and inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps.

There are so few living Medal of Honor recipients that for each one, there are over 3 million Americans.

Most Americans will never in their lives meet a Medal of Honor recipient. They will never hear their story of valor. Most will not even know the significance of the Medal of Honor.

This is like depriving children in school the privilege of ever having saluted the flag or saying the pledge of allegiance. It takes from them the personification of honor, the meaning of patriotism. A reason to love their nation. An understanding of why service and sacrifice in the defense of the nation is so precious and essential.

In no way does presenting a citation of honor to a living recipient diminish the contributions of those who gave their lives. In fact, it keeps alive their memory as well.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2008-05-02 14:08  

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