Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post - Medal Goes To Soldier Who Jumped On Grenade

FMF DOC · 05-24-2008, 11:55

"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.

05-24-2008, 11:55	#25
FMF DOC Guerrilla Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: PA Posts: 419	"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. __________________ Sometimes you must do dark things to get to the light. "unknown"
FMF DOC is offline