First Sergeant Edward G. McGinnis, then sergeant received the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his extraordinary heroism in combat with an enemy armed force in Vietnam on the 10th and 11th of February 1969. He was then advising a regional strike force company on an airmobile search and destroy mission in Chuong Thien Province. About noon, his unit was pinned down in a rice paddy by fierce hostile fire from a nearby woodline. Nine men were wounded and trapped in the open field. Sergeant McGinnis rushed from his relatively safe position, through the deadly barrage, to the wounded men. He then began to administer first aid to his Vietnamese comrades. Inspired by his courageous actions, others from his unit followed his example. Soon most of the wounded had been reached, and Sergeant McGinnis, braving the enemy fusillade, began pulling the injured to safety. Having retrieved as many casualties as possible, he assisted in moving them further to the rear to be evacuated. He then proceeded to pinpoint enemy positions, directing gun ship fire until dark. Sergeant McGinnis’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

1SG. McGinnis joined the Legion of Valor in 1973.