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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Hero Soldier's Parents Accept Medal of Honor

Teen killed smothering grenade, saving comrades' lives

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(Newser) – Ross McGinnis, a 19-year-old private who sacrificed his life in Iraq, was awarded the Medal of Honor today in a White House ceremony. Rather than fleeing a grenade an insurgent threw at his Humvee, McGinnis dived on it, saving four other soldiers, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. His son "had no thought of medals," McGinnis' father, Tom, told the Army Times.

"Ross did what he did for his buddies,” said his mother, Romayne. “He did that all his life." McGinnis was the fourth service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq. "He was just a normal, ordinary boy who joined the Army,” said his father. “He was asked to do something extraordinary and he did it."

This undated family photo shows Pfc. Ross McGinnis of Knox, Pa. McGinnis jumped on top of a grenade in Iraq and saved the lives of four of his comrades.
This undated family photo shows Pfc. Ross McGinnis of Knox, Pa. McGinnis jumped on top of a grenade in Iraq and saved the lives of four of his comrades.   (AP Photo/Family photo via The Oil City Derrick)
President Bush, right, kisses Romayne McGinnis, center, as her husband Tom McGinnis, left, looks on as they take part in a Medal of Honor ceremony today in the East Room of the White House.
President Bush, right, kisses Romayne McGinnis, center, as her husband Tom McGinnis, left, looks on as they take part in a Medal of Honor ceremony today in the East Room of the White House.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Tom and Romayne McGinnis, the parents of Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis, cradle the Medal of Honor presented by President Bush today..
Tom and Romayne McGinnis, the parents of Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis, cradle the Medal of Honor presented by President Bush today..   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
President Bush stands with Romayne McGinnis, mother of Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis, of Knox, Pa., in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 2, 2008.
President Bush stands with Romayne McGinnis, mother of Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis, of Knox, Pa., in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Bush presents the Medal of Honor to Tom and Romayne McGinnis, the parents of Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis, of Knox, Pa., Monday, June 2, 2008, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
President Bush presents the Medal of Honor to Tom and Romayne McGinnis, the parents of Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis, of Knox, Pa., Monday, June 2, 2008, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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McGinnis showed 'extraordinary heroism'
Associated Press

Public undervalues military's highest honor
The Atlantic

Text of the president's remarks
National Review


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