Native of Eureka, Kansas, family moved to Arlington, VA and attended George Washington University. He was training navigator on a B24 Liberator #42-7183 that had a mid air collision with another B24 12 miles NE of Hogup Point, Salt Lake, Utah in which 25 airmen perished. On the evening of the crash, Lt McGinnis had phoned his parents saying he would be home for a 10 day forlough after the flight.