https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=138776622

http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-bougainville-37th-infantry-divisions-battle-for-hill-700.htm

…

The plans called for an immediate envelopment of the remaining enemy positions on Hill 700 by Company E.. The plans were approved, and at 1:20 p.m. on the 11th the first Company E scout moved cautiously over the line of departure.

The lead squad of Company E’s right platoon crawled awkwardly up the precipitous slope. Led by Lieutenant Broadus McGinnis, 11 men of the squad went over the crest together. Eight men were killed instantly, mowed down by machine-gun fire from their front and flanks. Lieutenant McGinnis and three other men dived safely into a connecting trench on the enemy’s side of the hill and captured a pillbox by killing the three Japanese occupants.

From his vantage spot in the pillbox, McGinnis shouted instructions back to the rest of his platoon throughout the afternoon. At 4 p.m., as he peered out of the pillbox to determine enemy intentions, he was killed by a burst of machine-gun fire. Further advances were deemed suicidal, and at 7 p.m. Company E was ordered to cease the attack, reorganize, hold the ground it was able to occupy and supplement its defenses with one platoon of heavy machine guns from Company H.

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http://ncwwii.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/servicerecords/servicerecordsnovdec1944.htm

December 6, 1944

2nd Lt. Broadus R. McGinnis, of Lincolnton, N.C., has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star,

the War department announced today.  He was killed during an American attack on a strongly

held Japanese position in the Solomons on March 11, 1944.  He led his platoon up a steep

slope in the face of concentrated machine gun fire and when the summit was reached, charged

over the crest and captured a strategic pill box.  From this vantage point he could observe hostile

dispositions and direct the maneuvering of his troops.  He repeatedly exposed himself to

communicate his orders and in doing so was killed by machine gun fire.  Lt. McGinnis’ mother is Mrs. Attie B. McGinnis and lives in Lincolnton.