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Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident dies at 73

By Staff Sgt. Gregory Thomas | | January 21, 2014

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Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III.
Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident dies at 73
Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III.
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Members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association salute the casket of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, during his funeral Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association salute the casket of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, during his funeral Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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Lt. Cmdr. Raynard Allen, Navy chaplain for Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, places a poppy on the casket of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III during his funeral Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Lt. Cmdr. Raynard Allen, Navy chaplain for Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, places a poppy on the casket of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III during his funeral Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s rifle salute detail, perform a rifle salute at the funeral of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, on Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s rifle salute detail, perform a rifle salute at the funeral of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, on Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s burial team fold the nation’s flag at the funeral of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, on Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s burial team fold the nation’s flag at the funeral of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, on Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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Gen. John Paxton Jr., assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, salutes the casket of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, on Jan. 23, 2014, after speaking at McGinty’s funeral held at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Gen. John Paxton Jr., assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, salutes the casket of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, on Jan. 23, 2014, after speaking at McGinty’s funeral held at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III’s son and grandson attend his funeral Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III’s son and grandson attend his funeral Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III’s grandson watches his grandfather’s funeral proceedings Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III’s grandson watches his grandfather’s funeral proceedings Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. John Paxton Jr. presents the national flag to John James McGinty III’s son during the funeral of the former Medal of Honor recipient Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. John Paxton Jr. presents the national flag to John James McGinty III’s son during the funeral of the former Medal of Honor recipient Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s burial team salute the nation’s flag as it is held over the casket of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, during his funeral Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s burial team salute the nation’s flag as it is held over the casket of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, during his funeral Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island prepare to fold the nation’s flag at the funeral of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, on Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
Photo Gallery: Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, Beaufort resident laid to rest at 73
Marines from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island prepare to fold the nation’s flag at the funeral of Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, on Jan. 23, 2014, at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. McGinty, a decorated Vietnam War hero and Parris Island veteran, died Jan. 17, 2014, in his home in Beaufort at the age of 73.
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PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. --
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.
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