God Bless Them All!
Short and Tall
Big and Small
Merry Christmas!
Posted on 12/12/2006 4:57:40 PM PST by SandRat
The Congressmen and Senators from PA need to ring up our brand new Sec Def for an explanation on why the MOH isnt coming on this case. Often times, MOH awards start lower on the scale until verified through the chain of command.
God bless him and his family. Army Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis is not only an honorable man, he is (not just was ....is) a blessing. I'm certain his act and legacy will positively affect several lives in the future (for instance the families of the men he saved through his act, as well as others).
Thank you.
Thanks for the info.
"As for the Silver Star, he keeps it. There is no such thing as a temporary award."
I didn't think you could be awarded two medals for the same action. I could be wrong.
Thanks for the info, I'm glad to hear that he is still eligible for the MOH award.
A Schweinfurt, Germany-based infantryman who jumped on a grenade to save other troops is being recommended for the Medal of Honor.
The 1st Infantry Division soldier, Spc. Ross Andrew McGinnis, 19, was killed Dec. 4 while on a combat patrol in Baghdad.
Soldiers in his unit said he used his body to cover a grenade that had been thrown into his Humvee by an enemy fighter on a nearby rooftop.
McGinnis’ actions probably saved the lives of the four other soldiers in the vehicle, his company commander and other officials said during a Tuesday memorial ceremony.
As the U.S.’s highest award for wartime valor, the Medal of Honor is approved sparingly, and only one has been given out since Sept. 11, 2001, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
That award, to Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, was presented to Smith’s widow and two children by President Bush on April 4, 2005 — two years to the day after Smith’s death.
Smith was honored posthumously for his actions during the battle for the Baghdad airport in 2003, when he killed as many as 50 enemy fighters while helping wounded comrades to safety.
On Nov. 10, while speaking at the opening of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia, Bush announced that a second Medal of Honor would be awarded to Marine Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, who also used his body to smother a grenade and protect two of his fellow Marines.
Bush’s announcement came on what would have been Dunham’s 25th birthday, more than 2½ years after his death on April 14, 2004.
A date for the presentation ceremony has not yet been given.
According to the Army’s official Web site, “because of the need for accuracy the (Medal of Honor) recommendation process can take in excess of 18 months with intense scrutiny every step of the way.”
In McGinnis’ case, the recommendation has started with his company commander in 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, Capt. Michael Baka.
If approved, it would end with Congress.
Because of this, the award is often erroneously referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.
A Silver Star already has been awarded to McGinnis for his bravery, and even if he is eventually awarded the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star will stay on his record.
“In essence, he could receive two awards,” said Maj. Sean Ryan, public affairs officer for 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which McGinnis’ unit currently falls under while deployed.
Ryan also said that if the Medal of Honor is not approved, it could be downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross.
Thanks for pinging me. A very informative post. Answers all of our earlier questions and clears up all of my earlier misconceptions. He definitely deserves a MOH.
Wow. This story of this 19 year old soldier, so young and brave beyond words, made me cry. His family must be so unbelievably proud. Thank you Pfc Ross McGinnis.
Yeah, that seems like an MOH citation for sure. WTF??? Colonels are getting SS's for just showing up.
Star's and Stripes Europe reported the other day that the MOH process has started on his actions.
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