june december united_states_army soldier killed iraq war posthumously awarded highest decoration bravery medal honor serving gunner convoy attacked hand grenade thrown vehicle subsequently killed action deliberately threw grenade saving lives soldiers vehicle fourth soldier receive medal honor iraq war presented family following death early life education born pennsylvania june born grew miles north pittsburgh family moved teacher gave paper said grow want wrote army man growing involved enjoyed working cars athlete playing multiple sports played basketball soccer baseball attended public schools graduated sisters career wanted soldier joined army 17th birthday june following basic training fort georgia assigned germany august aged regiment deployed eastern baghdad serving caliber machine gunner operations insurgents december platoon mounted patrol grenade thrown vehicle shouted warning men vehicle prepare blast men responded device landed instead jumping gunner hatch threw grenade absorbing bulk blast killed instantly occupants able survive minor injuries buried arlington national cemetery virginia grave found section site beginning iraq war known united_states thrown live grenade personnel known marine corporal officer 2nd class marine corporal marine sergeant fourth recipient medal honor course iraq war ceremony held east room white_house june medal presented family president addition family president notable people attended ceremony including vice president secretary veterans affairs secretary army secretary air_force general jim vice chairman members congress attended members unit iraq including soldiers vehicle sacrificed life save awards decorations addition medal honor received posthumous promotion specialist purple heart medal honor citation conspicuous gallantry risk life duty private class distinguished acts gallantry duty serving caliber 1st platoon 26th infantry regiment connection combat operations armed enemy iraq december afternoon platoon conducting combat control operations effort reduce control violence area private manning caliber machine gun grenade thrown fell gunner hatch vehicle reacting quickly grenade allowing members crew prepare grenade blast gunner hatch safety courageous decision protect crew act bravery mortally wounded covered live grenade pinning body vehicle absorbing explosion action directly saved men certain injury death private class extraordinary heroism cost life duty keeping highest traditions military service reflect great credit unit united_states_army honors pbs special report chronicled life told parents friends people hometown pennsylvania
Ross A. McGinnis