We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:08:34 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Someone you should know. 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... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html Tue, 12 Dec 2006 13:27:44 -0600 "An idiosyncratic blog called Castle Aargh talks about the heroic actions of PFC Ross McGinnis of Pennsylvania, who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his efforts to save his comrades in Iraq. It mentions PFC Michael Blair of Klamath Falls." Posted today on the internet edition of the Oregonian newspaper. Email me if you want the link. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54093 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54093 Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:25:11 -0600 http://www.matthewmaynard.net/archives/00000655.htm Remember and honor.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54064 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54064 Thu, 14 Dec 2006 07:02:35 -0600 I am certain that the post referenced here is simply a 'typo' I think the write meant "another guy" It amazes me how less than 36 hours after his military memorial service in Baghdad, someone immediately turns to politics and mud slinging. DEAR OLFI: I am not a soldier, though I work side by side with them, on the base which this young man was honored just a day and a half ago. I see you have no integrity when it comes to disrespecting the loss of a fine soldier like this, by immediately politicizing his heroic actions. Give this soldier and his brothers and sisters the honor and respect they deserve... shut your mouth and simply honor their sacrifice and remember they have made the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs, rather than simply griping and complaining. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54052 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54052 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 20:47:58 -0600 'poor gay who...' Wow. That's pretty random. How do you know the guy was gay? Rather immaterial to the heroism of the guy. It's just to bad we only find out about these guys, people we should know, posthumously. Guys like this should be the rolemodels for kids in school, gay or not, rather than Allen Iverson or 50 Cent. There is no greater sacrifice than laying one's life down for the sake of another. McGinnis has done that in an exponential fashion(going to Iraq and protecting his fellows). So, what have YOU done today, olfi, other than whine? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54008 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54008 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 01:50:22 -0600 [Deleted as being inapt to this thread - but made the subject of a post! So don't whine to me about censorship, please. I'm not the government, so the First Amendment doesn't apply in this venue, anyway. -the Armorer ] http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54007 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:46:32 -0600 living recipient since Vietnam. You'd think they'd want that one fast tracked.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54006 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54006 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:49:25 -0600 Where do we get these kids? What makes them sacrifice their lives for others like that? I read stories like this, and I wonder what I would do in the same situation... and then pray to God I hope I never find out. Rest in peace,PFC McGinnis. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54005 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-54005 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:35:05 -0600 Blackfive's post seems to indicate that this is McGinnis's second award of the Silver Star. His unit did quite a job on November 5 in Baghdad. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53998 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53998 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 19:38:08 -0600 First Class, indeed.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53996 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53996 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 18:56:03 -0600 I am proud to say my first unit was C/1-26 INF in 1981. It is a unit with a long and proud history; a history which has been burnished further by the outstanding and selfless heroic action of PFC McGinnis. Let's hope that the Silver Star is in fact an interim award and that the Medal of Honor follows soon. BTW, the Stryker Fighting Vehicle is named for one other 26th Infnatry soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in WW II. BLUE SPADERS!!!!! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53994 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53994 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 17:06:19 -0600 God Bless You PFC McGinnis http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53993 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53993 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:25:41 -0600 RIP young Soldier. Well done, be thou at peace. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53992 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/12/private_first_c.html#comment-53992 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:13:57 -0600