Medal of Honor: Ross A. McGinnis – Iraq War – December 4, 2006

Name: Ross Andrew McGinnis
Rank: Private First Class
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
Place and Date: Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq – 4 December 2006
Entered Service At: Meadville, Pennsylvania
Born: June 14, 1987 – Meadville, Pennsylvania
Departed: December 4, 2006 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Pennsylvania

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Summary of Action

On December 4, 2006, Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis was serving as the .50-caliber machine gunner atop an M1114 armored Humvee during combat operations in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad. His platoon was conducting control missions aimed at reducing sectarian violence when insurgents attacked. As McGinnis scanned for threats from the turret, an enemy fighter hurled a fragmentation grenade that dropped straight through the open gunner’s hatch into the crew compartment below.

Reacting instantly, McGinnis shouted “Grenade!” giving his four fellow soldiers precious seconds to brace for the blast. He could have leapt clear of the turret to save himself. Instead, he chose another course. In a selfless act of complete devotion to his crew, McGinnis dropped down into the vehicle and threw his body over the grenade, pinning it to the floor.

The explosion killed him instantly, but his sacrifice absorbed nearly all of the blast. All four soldiers inside the vehicle survived.

Private First Class McGinnis’ decision — made in a fraction of a second — saved four American lives at the cost of his own.

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Medal of Honor Citation

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.