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National Guard Members Continue LA Wildfire Response
January 21, 2025 — LOS ANGELES – U.S. Army Sgt. Ricardo Hernandez watched from a cross street as sporadic traffic... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Bryce Carter, an infantryman with C Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, California Army National Guard, sharpens the blade of a hoe to clear brush and other debris as part of remediation efforts along the Mulholland Trail near Tarzana, California, in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, Jan. 18, 2025. Carter and other members of his unit were assisting CALFIRE in mop-up efforts, which included clearing brush and backfilling firebreaks and other areas to prevent mudslides and reduce the impact of firefighting efforts.

California Guardsman Helps Battle Wildfires in His Community
January 16, 2025 — CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. - Amid the wildfire crisis in California, an Air... MORE

Master Sgt. Alan Franklin, a commander's support Airman with the 146th Airlift Wing, speaks to 1st Lt. Aiden Flores about the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission on the flightline at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California, Jan. 13, 2025. MAFFS aircraft from the Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming, the 152nd Airlift Wing, Reno, Nevada, the 146th Airlift Wing, Port Hueneme, California, and Air Force Reserve Command’s 302 AW, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, are working together to combat fires in the Los Angeles area.

National Guard Bureau Chief Thanks Firefighting Guardsmen
January 14, 2025 — CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. – The National Guard is part of a multi-agency... MORE

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, and Army Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the CNGB, visit National Guard members supporting wildland firefighting in Southern California, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., Jan. 11, 2025. Thousands of National Guardsmen are involved in multiple air and ground firefighting in the Los Angeles Basin and Southern California.

Wyoming, Nevada Guard Aircrews Assist California Firefighters
January 13, 2025 — CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Three Wyoming Air National Guard C-130s equipped with the U.S. Forest Service’s... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing load and install the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jan. 10, 2025, in preparation to support firefighting efforts in the Los Angeles area.

California, Nevada, Wyoming Guard Join Firefighting Battle
January 10, 2025 — MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. - Hundreds of National Guard members are now involved in... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, at Moffett Air National Guard Base, Calif., prepare an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter to help battle the Palisades Fire Jan. 9, 2025.

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Video by Staff Sgt. Greg Thomas

Marine Corps Medal of Honor Recipient Honored in Beaufort, S.C.

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island

Jan. 23, 2014 | 4:07

A humble yet decorated Vietnam War hero and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island veteran died Jan. 17, 2014, at his home in Beaufort, S.C., just down the road from the base where he spent much of his career training future Marines.

Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, 73, retired as a captain in 1976 and stayed in the local area.

He was born Jan. 21, 1940, in Boston, and initially enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in February 1957. McGinty later enlisted in the active-duty Marine Corps in March 1958.

McGinty completed recruit training with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion on Parris Island. He would later return in 1962 as a drill instructor with 2nd Recruit Training Battalion.

In July 1966, McGinty served in Vietnam with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. His platoon was assigned to provide rear security to protect the withdrawl of the battalion whose position had been under attack for the previous three days. McGinty's heroism helped repel a regiment-sized enemy force and saved countless American service members.

"I don't think I'm a hero," McGinty said in an interview. "I thought a hero's somebody who's supposed to save lives; we killed 'em. We did what we were supposed to do. I'm proud of the platoon."

His actions in the Quang Tri Province of South Vietnam earned him America's top military honor.

"If it were me alone, I probably wouldn't give a damn. But I wear this thing for that platoon," McGinty said of the Medal of Honor he wore.

After returning from Vietnam, McGinty served another tour on Parris Island as a drill instructor and, after his promotion to second lieutenant, a series officer with 1st Recruit Training Battalion.

McGinty's funeral will be held Jan. 23, 2014, at 1 p.m. at the Beaufort National Cemetery.

(Video by: Cpl. Jennifer Schubert and MCRD Parris Island Combat Camera)
(Photo by: courtesy copy)
(Story by: Staff Sgt. Gregory Thomas)