Ross A. McGinnis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ross Andrew McGinnis
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McGinnis at Fort Benning, Georgia
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| Born | June 14, 1987 Meadville, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | December 4, 2006 (aged 19) Adhamiyah, Baghdad, Iraq |
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 2004–2006 |
| Rank | Specialist (posthumous) |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
Ross Andrew McGinnis (born June 14, 1987 – died December 4, 2006) was a brave soldier in the United States Army. He was given the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. He received it after he died for his heroic actions during the Iraq War.
Ross McGinnis was working as a gunner in a military vehicle called a HMMWV. His group was attacked, and a hand grenade was thrown into his vehicle. McGinnis was killed when he bravely threw himself onto the grenade. This amazing act saved the lives of at least four other soldiers who were in the vehicle with him. He was the fourth soldier to receive the Medal of Honor during the Iraq War. His family received the medal after his death.
Early Life and School
Ross McGinnis was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, on June 14, 1987. His parents were Romayne and Tom McGinnis. When he was three, his family moved to Knox, which is about 90 miles north of Pittsburgh.
When Ross was in kindergarten, his teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He wrote "an Army Man." As he got older, he joined the Boy Scouts of America. He also loved working on cars. Ross was a good athlete and played many sports. He played basketball and soccer through the YMCA. He also played Little League baseball. He went to public schools in Clarion County and graduated from Keystone Junior/Senior High School in 2005. Ross had two sisters named Becky and Katie.
Military Service
Ross McGinnis always wanted to be a soldier, ever since he was a little kid. On his 17th birthday, June 14, 2004, he joined the United States Army. He joined through a program called the Delayed Entry Program. This program lets people sign up for the military but wait to start their training.
After his basic training at Fort Moore, Georgia, he was sent to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. This unit was based in Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt, Germany.
In August 2006, when Ross was 19, his unit was sent to eastern Baghdad, Iraq. He was working as a gunner, operating a powerful .50 caliber machine-gun on a HMMWV. They were fighting against insurgents in a place called Adhamiyah.
On December 4, his platoon (a small group of soldiers) was on patrol in Adhamiyah. Suddenly, a grenade was thrown into his vehicle. Ross quickly shouted a warning to the other four soldiers inside. This gave them a chance to get ready for the explosion. When one of the men said they couldn't see where the grenade landed, Ross made a brave choice. Instead of jumping out of the gunner's hatch to save himself, he threw his back over the grenade. He took the full force of the blast. Ross was killed right away, but because of his sacrifice, the other soldiers in the vehicle only had minor injuries.
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Ross McGinnis is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He is one of only five known U.S. service members who have thrown themselves on a live grenade since the Iraq War began. The others who did this incredibly brave act are Marine Corporal Jason Dunham, Navy SEAL Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, Marine Corporal Kyle Carpenter, and Marine Sergeant Rafael Peralta. Ross McGinnis was the fourth person to receive the Medal of Honor during the Iraq War.
A special ceremony was held at the White House on June 2, 2008. President George W. Bush presented the Medal of Honor to Ross's family. Many important people attended the ceremony. This included the Vice President and members of Ross's unit from Iraq. The soldiers he saved were also there.
Awards and Honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Ross McGinnis also received other important awards after he died. He was promoted to the rank of specialist. He also received the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
A TV show on PBS told the story of Ross McGinnis's life. It featured his parents, friends, and people from his hometown of Knox, Pennsylvania.
Images for kids
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McGinnis at Fort Benning, Georgia
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A single yellow rose adorned with the 1st Infantry Division patch lies at the base of Spc. Ross McGinnis' headstone in Arlington National Cemetery.
