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Old 12-20-2006, 07:29   #16
Rumblyguts
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He deserves it.

AirborneLaywer and The Reaper, thanks for the posts.
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Old 12-20-2006, 09:27   #17
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[QUOTE]
Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeter8654
That's not the way the awards process works. Lesser awards are not given as a timely band-aid while a higher award is being processed. You are somewhat right in that it is possible to upgrade his award, but his COC put him up for an award and it was either awarded, downgraded, or upgraded.
Are you convinced now Skeeter?

Congratulations to an American Hero and may he rest in peace.
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Old 12-20-2006, 09:57   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeter8654
That's not the way the awards process works.
Yes it is and if you are unsure or just don't know don't post. This is not a request.

This is the way the Army works as Army Regulation 600-8-22
Sec. 578.8 General rules states.

Now move out and draw fire.

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Old 12-20-2006, 12:51   #19
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The process is also not something new.

In 1918, after his exploits on 8 October of that year, Sgt. (then Cpl.) Alvin York was nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Honor. The DSC didn't require the same scrutiny and the same level of review, so it was approved first. It was presented to York at an 82nd Division review on February 11, 1919, by Maj. Gen. Charles Pelot Summerall, the V Corps commander, even as the Medal of Honor nomination was winding its way through the system. The Medal of Honor was approved in War Department General Order No. 59 of 1919 and was presented to York at a ceremony on April 18, 1919. The DSC was then rescinded.
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Old 12-20-2006, 14:45   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Team Sergeant
Yes it is and if you are unsure or just don't know don't post. This is not a request.

This is the way the Army works as Army Regulation 600-8-22
Sec. 578.8 General rules states.

Now move out and draw fire.

Team Sergeant

Crap, my apoligies for passing bad gouge. Knocking 'em out.
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Old 12-31-2006, 07:23   #21
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I am currently serving at an outpost with PFC McGinnis' company and elements of his BN. Nothing but good memories of this young hero here, his photo and recommendation for the MOH posted on the wall with photos of other fallen soldiers from the BN.
This young man's actions are incredibly motivating and tell the meaning of selfless service. The first hand account from the other individuals in the vehicle get involuntary water works.

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Old 12-31-2006, 08:59   #22
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RIP, Brother. We'll keep watch here.
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Old 04-26-2008, 11:12   #23
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This just in, his award will be upgraded to the MOH.

Hooah!!

Thank you SPC McGinnis for your service and your sacrifice.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/0...isMOH_050508w/
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Old 04-26-2008, 12:59   #24
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Rest In Peace. Well done PFC McGinnis!
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Old 05-24-2008, 11:55   #25
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"The Derrick" Oil City PA press release 5/24/2008

Knox hometown hero Spc. Ross A. McGinnis will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, during a private White House ceremony Monday, June 2.

The White House formally issued the announcement Friday.

McGinnis "distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism," White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said.

U.S. Congressman John Peterson (R-5th) said in a statement Friday "It is with deep gratitude and sorrow that I recognize the selfless act Ross McGinnis performed on Dec. 4, 2006."

"This young man, just 19 years old, was a soldier's soldier who enlisted in the Army to fight for causes larger than any individual - freedom and liberty. Ross gave his life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers - an act nothing short of heroic," Peterson's statement said.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:50 a.m. in the East Room of the White House with President Bush presenting the Medal of Honor to McGinnis' parents, Thomas and Romayne.

Accompanying events and activities are being planned over a two-day period.

"This courageous act not only defined Spc. McGinnis as a soldier but it is also a testament to his rural Pennsylvania upbringing where love for country runs deep," said Peterson. "Born and raised in the small Clarion County town of Knox, Ross was a high-spirited son, brother and friend to many. He had a contagious sense of humor and a trademark smile that lit up every room he entered."

"Spc. McGinnis is now etched into American history where he will always be remembered for his strong sense of duty to serve his country and his unmatched selflessness," said Peterson.

Only a certain number of guests will be permitted to attend the private ceremony.

McGinnis was nominated by his superiors for the Medal of Honor and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the third-highest award for valor in combat.

It was announced earlier this month that a U.S. Army multi-purpose machine gun range in Fort Benning, Ga., will be named after McGinnis.

On Dec. 4, 2006, he was manning the turret in the last Humvee of a six-vehicle patrol in northeast Baghdad when an insurgent threw a grenade from the roof of a nearby building.

As he stood up to get ready to jump out of the vehicle as he had been trained to do, officials say McGinnis realized the other four soldiers in the vehicle did not know where the grenade had landed and did not have enough time to escape.

He threw his back against the radio mount and smothered the explosive with his body. McGinnis was killed instantly while the other four men survived.

One of those men - Staff Sgt. Ian Newland - was hit in the face and all four of his limbs by shrapnel. He was also diagnosed with a brain injury and considers himself lucky to be alive, thinking of McGinnis every day.

"An average man would have leapt out of the gunner's cupola to safety," the Army said in its official account. "Pfc. McGinnis decided to stay with his crew. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life . . . he threw his back over the grenade."

Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb, an Army spokeswoman, said Friday that McGinnis easily could have jumped out of the vehicle and saved himself.

"The instinct is, jump out of the vehicle, but his four buddies were in the vehicle with him...and he chose to place himself on top of the grenade and absorb the impact, and it saved their lives," Edgecomb said.

McGinnis was the youngest of three children and was known as something of a troublemaker in his youth.

"He'd remind you more of Bart Simpson than anything else - you know, sort of an underachiever," said his father, Thomas McGinnis. "But when it really meant something, he produced."

McGinnis was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany. He was posthumously promoted to specialist.

VFW Post 2145 in Clarion was renamed this year in his honor, and Knox residents created a memorial bench at the high school.

A memorial scholarship has been established in his name through Keystone SMILES, and Florida teen-ager Destany Hotard was inspired to record a ballad for him.

Current plans are to construct the Army range in 2011 as part of the department's expansion as it prepares to become the Maneuver Center of Excellence.
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Old 05-26-2008, 00:30   #26
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RIP Warrior.
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Old 06-15-2008, 17:59   #27
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Wow, I've been lurking on these forums for months now and this is the first time I've actually seen this post.

I was actually SPC McGinnis' Platoon Leader, and was the Patrol Leader during this incident.

First off let me say thank you to the guys who posted on here. It might be two different worlds but it's all one fight in the end. I think I can sum that up best by looking at Eagle5US' post, I probably met you once and I can say it was great to work with you guys along with the team that took your place.

Second, allow me a second to provide my own tribute to Ross. He was an amazing soldier. You've all read the articles and posts about him, and I can honestly say there is no exaggeration about the heroism he showed that day. I remember going out later that night to take pictures of the HMMWV for the SIR and looking at the an/vrc for several minutes trying to play out the different scenarios in my head and ultimately reaching the conclusion that the only way for it to play out like it did was if the gunner fell back on the grenade pinning it between himself and the radios. Not that I ever doubted the word of my Platoon Sergeant for a second, but seeing it first hand like that still leaves me speechless more than 18 months later.

If I have one lasting memory of SPC McGinnis it's of those early morning patrols, the kind where you wake up groggy after 3-4 hours of sleep and completely unmotivated walk out to the trucks. Then you see this guy completely fired up about his job and 100% certain of his purpose in life that day, and not being able to help but smile and feed off of that passion and motivate yourself to do your job better.

RIP Ross and thanks to all who posted here.
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Old 02-16-2010, 12:24   #28
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I was the BN awards clerk (among other things) during the deployment with SPC McGinnis. While I can not claim to have known him like his battle buddies I am honored to have served with someone that was willing to play such a hand when the chips were down. Every time I think of him and what he did I can't help but to wonder, and to hope, that I too could have that kind of intestinal fortitude and selflessness to do the same if called upon.

It is a great honor to have served in a unit with him and to this day I wear my 1st ID combat patch with pride.
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Old 02-16-2010, 12:45   #29
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Rest in Peace, Young Warrior ...................

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Old 02-16-2010, 13:23   #30
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Rest in Peace little brother, sleep well.

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