Where do we find such men?
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis packed only 136 pounds into his 6-foot frame, but few have ever matched his inner strength.
McGinnis sacrificed himself in an act of supreme bravery on Dec. 4, belying his status as the youngest Soldier in Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
The 19-year-old amateur mechanic from Knox, Pa., who enjoyed poker and loud music, likely saved the lives of four Soldiers riding with him on a mission in Baghdad.
McGinnis was manning the gunner’s hatch when an insurgent tossed a grenade from above. It flew past McGinnis and down through the hatch before lodging near the radio.
His platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Cedric Thomas of Longview, Texas, recalled what happened next.
“Pfc. McGinnis yelled, “Grenade’s in the truck,” Thomas said. “I looked out of the corner of my eye as I was crouching down and I saw him pin it down.”
McGinnis did so even though he could have escaped.
“He had time to jump out of the truck,” Thomas said. “He chose not to.”
Thomas remembered McGinnis talking about how he would respond in such a situation. McGinnis said then he didn’t know how he would act, but when the time came, he delivered.
“He gave his life to save his crew and his platoon sergeant,” Thomas said. “He’s a hero. He’s a professional. He was just an awesome guy.”
Three of the Soldiers with McGinnis who were wounded that day have returned to duty, while a fourth is recovering in Germany.
For saving the lives of his friends and giving up his own in the process, McGinnis earned the Silver Star, posthumously. His unit paid their final respects in a somber ceremony here Dec. 11.
Knowing that it would kill him, PFC McGinnis did what he had to do to save his fellow Soldiers around him. I am deeply humbled to call him my brother-in-arms, and forever grateful for his dedication to duty and for his ultimate sacrifice.
Take a look around you, at your fellow employees and colleagues, all sitting comfortably in their cubes or their offices. Now think about how many of them would do the same thing for you.
Where do we find such men? The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard are filled with them.
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PFC McGinnis was not “duped” into joining the Army. It wasn’t his “only option”; he wasn’t poor, stupid, nor a minority. A Soldier is what McGinnis always wanted to be, and he considered it to be more than a “decent” career option:
…[McGinnis' mother] said her son drew a soldier in kindergarten when he was supposed to picture what he wanted to be when he grew up.
“Ross decided at a very young age that he wanted to join the Army,” she said.
On his 17th birthday — the first day he was eligible — Ross McGinnis stepped into the recruiting station and joined the Army through the Delayed Enlistment Program, she said.
The Patriot Guard Riders of Pennsylvania have been invited by the McGinnis family to attend the funeral services for PFC McGinnis. It’s a comfort to know that this fallen American Soldier will be laid to rest with the attention, respect, and honor that he deserves.
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BlackFive has more (h/t to Jeanette at Hang Right Politics)
young men and women. These are our best and our youngest who have/had everything to live for and yet they gave their last full measure of devotion to their comrades. Godspeed, Pvt. McGinnis. Godspeed. Posted by Jeanette UrbanGrounds pinged back with PFC Ross A. McGinnis Sister Toldjah pinged back with Profiles in Courage: US Army PFC Ross McGinnis, an American hero
He is a true hero in every sense of the word. And you’re right, he did provide the ultimate sacrifice… everyday my love and respect grows for our heros.
His heroism surpasses my courage beyond words. God bless his soul.
Thank you Pfc. Ross McGinnis for your service and sacrifice. Now you are in God’s Army.
This truly makes me sad. RIP.
What an absolutely amazing man. If there was a word more powerful than hero – that would be him. God Bless him and his family. PFC McGinnis – your watch is done. You did an amazing job and never knowing you, I am so proud of you. There is an extra star in heaven shining down on all of us tonight. Thank you, for allowing me to be free. God Bless.
It’s sobering to read this, but I’m glad you did.
I feel very close to the McGinnis family right now. My son got back from Basic and Advanced training yesterday.
PFC Ross McGinnis is and always be my friend best friend. He fought heart and soul for our country and did it with a smile on his face. He is a true hero for what he did and I am proud to say my friend is a hero, as much as it hurts.
RIP Ross. You will be forever missed and forever loved.
-Another one gone though never forgotten-
God bless you
Ret MSGT
Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis, hero! Your story, life and couragous sacrifice inspire this old soldier. I served 21 years with our Army and it would have been an honor to serve with you! God bless you and your family for everything you have done! The Pittsburgh/Western PA/Country is in mourning at your loss. Thank you from your comrades! God speed, young man!
I hope someday I will get to meet you.
WE SALUTE YOU. Fortunatley Ross’ dedication will and has already inspired others. His job won’t be finished for a long time. His job now is to be remembered and to be a Role Model for other young people. We are all so very humbled by his selfless sacrifice.May God guide the McGinnis family through these tough days and always remember his impact on others.
Ross was a great guy. I’m so proud to say that I knew him. I never really believed that there were really heroes. But Ross was a hero. We will miss him forever
I’m proud to say I knew Ross. Altough his actions fit him perfectly, I never knew it would have it in him. I am thankful that I knew him for 19 years. In my heart and mind he will never be forgotten and I will miss him until the day I get to see him again. Forever in my heart. R.I.P. Ross, You’r my hero.
Ross McGinnis pesonified what is slowly becoming a ‘lost trait’ amongst men…honor. His sacrifice for his troops, and for my very own freedom with his actions will live long after the battle he was fighting is over and in the history books. It was best said this way,
” Everything that is called duty, the prerequisite for all genuine law, and the substance of every noble custom, can be traced back to honor. If one has to think about it…one is already without honor.”
Ross didn’t have to think about it, and during this holiday of reflection and prayer, I will honor him with my own words of thanks and hopefully, as will a grateful nation.
I am proud to say i knew Ross Mcginnis he was a friend, a hero and he will live forever in our hearts. We all love and miss you Ross * !!!
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Ross represents the very best of a rare breed of man. Despite my not being a spiritual person I must say; God has a special place for people of this kind.
SPC. McGinnis,
Brother, I never met you. I don’t know anyone from your family, your school, or your town. I was about to write that we have one thing in common, but I erased those words…because I cannot compare myself to you. I have been in the Army for over 15 years and as proud as I am of my soldiers and the work they have done, I wonder where a man of your caliber comes from.
Rest easy now, young warrior….you’ve done your time in hell.
A Soldier’s Prayer…by Dean Jones
One hot desert morning at dawn’s early light
While trudging through the sand
I found a piece of paper
Clutched in a young man’s hand
And upon that paper the words he wrote
Were not filled with despair
Just thoughts from the heart of a brave young lad
He called it, “A Soldier’s Prayer”
I took the paper from his hand and read it aloud…
Will there be a place in heaven
For a person such as me
Who, through youth and the love for life
Isn’t all you’d have me be?
I’ve been a man but a short time now
And I’ll ask you this, if I might
Isn’t fighting for freedom’s cause
A fight that’s always right?
The men I’ve killed, some things I’ve done
Are not things I’ve wanted to do
But a job I believe had to be done
By we who believe in you
I had those thoughts upon my mind
When I heard that deadly sound
Then, all around me, one by one
My friends fell to the ground
Somehow I knew before it hit
Fear ran up my spine
I felt the blast tearing my side
I knew this one was mine
There’ll be much grief for loved ones at home
when they learn that I am dead
Please ease their pain and let them know
These things that I have said
Time’s run out, I can feel death’s sting
Oh, God, please hear my plea
Let there be a place in heaven
For a person such as me
Lord, this is the chaplain, I’m here with this lad
Our country’s given the finest it had
We who are older and have studied your word
Know this boy’s prayer is more than just heard
It is answered with your love
And the promise that there’ll be
A special place in heaven
For a person such as he.
Ross is my cousin, I will miss him alot.
you still live in our hearts ross -* we love and miss you!!! not a day goes by that i dont think about you and the sacrfice you gave for all of us. rest easy ross – until we see each other again..
He sacrificed his life so we can live ours. I was proud to stand for this young hero with the Patriot Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. It was my first mission and I was awestruck by the turnout this young soldier received, well deserved. Mission accomplished Pfc. McGinnis and thank you.
Thank you for serving our country with no fear and of the highest of valor. Evie of Dothan, Alabama
To Mr McGinnis – You are a true hero in my families eyes. You are a blessing to my family. You are what I want my son and daughters to be…brave and strong. Thank you for saving your brother’s lives so that they may go on and defend this great nation and to defeat those who wish us harm. Your act of courage will never be forgoten by my family. My children will know who you are and will be grateful for what you gave for them. I am so proud of you and the many men and women who are serving to ensure our safety and freedom.
God Speed and May you forever Rest in Peace.