4 December

Pfc ROSS A.  McGINNIS
Charlie Co, 1st Bn, 26th Inf Reg
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st ID
Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq
4 Dec 2006

While Pfc McGinnis was manning the M2 on his vehicle he saw an enemy fragmentation grenade, thrown by an insurgent, go right through the gunner’s port into the vehicle.

McGinnis immediately hollered “GRENADE” then instead of doing the common sense thing and exiting the vehicle to avoid the blast. – McGinnis knew his crew would be killed by the blast so rather than seeking safety, just one leap away…

McGinnis dropped into the vehicle covering the grenade with his body, absorbing the entire blast and saving the lives of the rest of his crew.

NO greater love…. Fratribus Sine Pari

The Citation reads:

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.