The US House has unanimously passed a bill that would name a Clarion County post office for a soldier who died in the line of duty, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
The post office in Knox will named the Specialist Ross A. McGinnis Memorial Post Office, if the Senate approved the bill as well.
McGinnis was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 4, 2006, in Iraq. When he and several other solider were on patrol, an insurgent on a rooftop threw a grenade into their vehicle. McGinnis threw his body on top of the grenade, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. President George W. Bush presented his family with the Medal of Honor in 2008.
“Our region and nation owe a debt of gratitude to Army Specialist Ross A. McGinnis,” said Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson. “As we honor the men and women who have fallen in service to our country on Memorial Day, I am proud that the Specialist Ross A. McGinnis Memorial Post Office will soon be designated to serve as a timeless reminder of his bravery and selflessness in service to our country.” added Thompson.
Ross Andrew McGinnis was the son of Mr. Tom and Mrs. Romayne McGinnis of Knox. He attended Clarion County public schools, was a Boy Scout, and a joined the Army’s delayed entry program upon turning 17.
In part, McGinnis’ Medal of Honor citation reads, “his extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.”