Taps: PFC Ross McGinnis

PFC Ross McGinnis gave his life so that others might live.

PFC McGinnis was a hatch gunner on a Humvee in Iraq. While on patrol a grenade was thrown at his vehicle and went right into the open gunner's hatch.

PFC McGinnis could have thrown himself clear of the vehicle at that point and saved his own life.

He instead threw himself into the vehicle, and onto the live grenade. His selfless act of heroism saved the lives of his four squadmates at the cost of his own.

PFC McGinnis will be awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on June 2, 2008 for his actions, which brought great honor upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the U. S. Army.

Photo courtesy of the McGinnis family