RAYBURN -- Francis McGinnis has one vivid memory of World War II he will never forget -- lying wounded in snow and bitter cold for three hours. McGinnis served in the U.S. Army with the 117th Infantry, Buckeye Division, Co. A. After being inducted in February 1943 and a stint in basic training, he landed in England and then France on July 9, 1944. "I missed D-Day," he said, "but we went through France and then through Germany. There was little fighting in France, but when we crossed the Rhine the Germans threw everything they had at us. Pretty soon it was winter and I fought in the Battle of the Bulge." McGinnis describes his time in Germany in four words: snow, cold, bullets and Germans. "That was about it," he said. "Our radio man was killed and so someone told me I was next in line to carry the radio. On one day I had to deliver a message personally, not by radio, to an outfit that was just a few hundred yards away. There was heavy fighting and bullets were flying everywhere. I set off running toward the other company when suddenly I was hit. A bullet tore through my shoulder and left a big hole." McGinnis said something hit his chest and he went down and was in a lot of pain. "I started bleeding all over the snow and thought I was going to die. I got mad, really mad, and I said to myself that I was going to take one of those sons-of-bitches with me. "I managed to fire my rifle several times at Germans. I don't know if I hit any or not, but they knew I was there." After two hours, one of the German soldiers threw a grenade which landed near McGinnis, who was hit by shrapnel. "That was it, I couldn't fire anymore. About an hour later I saw a vehicle coming and tried to raise my rifle to shoot at it. Thankfully I didn't shoot because as it got real close I noticed a big Red Cross symbol on the side. I was finally rescued." The wound he received on that bitter cold winter day in Northern Germany ended McGinnis' role in World War II. He was sent to recuperate in an Army Hospital in Ft. Meade, Md. His wounds required extensive treatment and forced him to be hospitalized for nine months. "Once I recovered they asked me if I wanted to stay in the Army," he said. "I was a corporal and they promised to make me a sergeant if I re-enlisted. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I grabbed my discharge papers and signed them so fast I think they were shocked. I fought for my country and I was proud to do so, but I had enough." After his discharge McGinnis met an old friend -- his Troy Hill High School sweetheart, Mildred. The war had ended and McGinnis, now a civilian, asked Mildred to marry him. This September, the McGinnises celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. McGinnis said serving in the military is a proud family tradition. His father, Robert W. McGinnis served in World War I, two brothers, Dick and Robert J., both served in the Army and a son, James, served in Korea. Three grandsons also serve in the military, two in the Marines and one in the Army National Guard, one son-in-law served in the Army and one in the Navy. A niece and nephew are serving in the Air Force and a nephew is in the Army. Although photos of his military family are hanging in his house, not found on McGinnis' living room wall are his many medals. Although he doesn't readily speak of them, McGinnis received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's badge, Good Conduct medal, the American Theater ribbon, European-African-Middle East Theater ribbon, World War II Victory ribbon, Expert Rifleman's badge and the Bronze Star for his conduct under fire while lying wounded in the snow. After resuming civilian life McGinnis has continued his tradition of service. For the past 45 years he has been a member of the Rayburn Township Fire Department and at age 81 continues to be active in several veterans organizations. "It's terrible to fight in the winter," he recalled, "and that year we had a rough winter. We fought hard and the Germans fought hard. They offered a lot of resistance. They were good fighters but we were better. We beat them and we beat Hitler. That's what counts."

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