Hundreds attend event to honor 6 S.C. heroes
Published: October 1, 2004
John McGinty says the Medal of Honor he wears does not belong to him.
“The medal I wear belongs to the 32 Marines in my platoon in Kilo Company,” McGinty said Thursday.
McGinty, of Laurel Bay, was one of six living Medal of Honor recipients from South Carolina honored Thursday night at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
About 900 people rose to their feet and offered a thundering ovation when recipients of the nation’s highest award for bravery entered the room.
The black-tie affair was sponsored by the State Guard, an all-volunteer organization under the South Carolina Military Department.
Besides McGinty, who was wounded three times in leading his platoon in stopping an enemy regiment, other South Carolinians honored were:
• Retired Army Master Sgt. John Baker, of Columbia, a Vietnam War veteran
• Retired Marine Maj. Gen. James Livingston of Sullivan’s Island, Vietnam War
• Retired Army Col. Charles Murray of Lexington, a World War II recipient
• Former Navy Seal Michael Thornton of Spartanburg, decorated for bravery in Vietnam.
Army World War II veteran Frank Currey of Bonneau, the state’s sixth living medal recipient, could not attend because of illness.
Since the Civil War, the medal has been awarded to about 3,500 members of the armed services, 37 from South Carolina. Half of the medals were awarded posthumously.
Thornton, one of only three Seals to receive the honor, saved his commander’s life after their landing party got caught in a firefight.
Thornton said he did not think twice about braving enemy fire to save his commander, who others said had been killed.
“Seals never leave anyone behind,” Thornton said.
The medal, the heroes said, represents what the United States stands for — sacrifice.
“We’re not anymore of a hero than any other soldier who has been in combat,” Baker said.
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