In living with honor, this hero who maintains he is just a soldier tells us the story of the fateful day in afghanistan that led to his. Reprinted with permission from twelve bookshachette book group, new york, ny. Salvatore giunta, the battle of midway, the great migration, the warmth of other suns, the west wing pilot, with the clothes on their backs on may 30, 2011 by. This excerpt, about medal of honor recipient salvatore giunta, is from the book war by sebastian junger.
The book describes the authors time embedded with a unit of the 173rd airborne brigade combat team, which includes giunta s platoon. Salvatore giunta, the tribute to his heroism was bittersweet, because it was a bloody day in afghanistans korengal valley and the soldier he brought back later died. Salvatore giunta was named as the first living recipient of americas highest medal for valor since the start of the wars in iraq and afghanistan. So, please join me in welcoming staff sergeant salvatore a. Giunta is from iowa and joined the army after hearing a radio. The military advantage board of veterans appeals veterans affairs. The unforgiving minute a soldiers education download. Staff sergeant salvatore giunta will be awarded the medal of honor for his actions in afghanistans korengal valley, an area called the valley of death. Soldier given highest medal for heroism on a ridge the. Army europes 173rd airborne brigade combat team just before presenting the medal of. Salvatore giunta, who rushed into enemy fire and pulled three wounded soldiers to safety during a harrowing battle in afghanistan in 2007, on monday became the first. On tuesday, army staff sergeant salvatore giunta received a medal of honor for his service in afghanistan.
Medal of honor recipient salvatore giunta mobbed by cadets. Salvatore giunta view live at 1400 et today from todays standto staff sgt. Gallardo was struck in the helmet by an ak47 round, which caused him to fall to the. Official citations for staff sergeant salvatore giunta medal of honor recipient. Obama awards medal of honor to iowa staff sergeant. This entry was posted in randys blog entries and tagged 60 minutes, isabel wilkerson, lara logan, medal of honor, staff sgt. New medal of honor recipient, staff sergeant salvatore giunta. Salvatore sal giunta wants to honor those he served with. Reprinted with permission from twelve books hachette book. Salvatore giunta was awarded the medal of honor for risking his life to save two members of his squad from being captured in korengal valley, afghanistan. First time medal of honor is given to a living person since vietnam. Salvatore giunta after presenting him the medal of honor in the white house in.
Salvatore giunta, the first living recipient of the medal of honor for action in the wars in afghanistan and iraq, has decided to leave the army and pursue a. Salvatore giunta, 24, is credited with saving the lives of several fellow soldiers in a 2007 ambush that killed two, including sgt. Sal giunta decided to join the army almost on a whim. At pentagon, medal of honor recipient inducted into hall. President obama exchanges smiles with army staff sgt. First time medal of honor is given to a living person. And of all the military decorations that a president and a nation can.
Anaheim the most recent recipient of the medal of honor was saluted wednesday by disney. This story originally appeared in stars and stripes. Nov 16, 2010 president obama awards staff sergeant salvatore giunta, u. Vicenza, italy the medal of honor has always hung heavily around staff sgt. Salvatore sal giunta became the first living recipient of the u. New medal of honor recipient will visit nebraska local. Salvatore giunta was stoic as president barack obama hung the medal of honor around his neck, shook his hand and embraced him. Salvatore giunta of iowa has become the first living recipient of the medal of honor since the vietnam war. On 23 october, taliban fighters killed staff sergeant larry rougle and wounded two other. Gallardo was struck in the helmet by an ak47 round and fell into a. Salvatore giunta for extraordinary bravery in the face of almost death. Giunta, who received the nations highest military honor in novem. Soldier for life with medal of honor recipient staff.
Profile for staff sergeant salvatore giunta medal of honor recipient. Giunta the medal of honor takes us to afghanistan in 2007, when he was a specialist and rifle team leader in the us army. In summing up his life prior to joining the army in 2003, salvatore said, the first 18 years of my life were in iowa. Salvatore giunta, a rifle team leader in the 2nd battalion airborne, 503d infantry regiment, was awarded the medal last september for. I really like this guy, president barack obama said tuesday as he presented the medal of honor to army staff sgt. Soldier from iowa to get medal of honor tuesday local. Medal of honor recipient honored by disney orange county. President barack obama talks on the phone from the oval office, sept. May 30, 2016 sal giunta, an army staff sergeant who served in afghanistan from 2003 to 2011, discusses his experiences as the first living person since the vietnam war to receive the u.
Obama informed the infantryman that he would receive the nations highest award for his service and extraordinary bravery in battle, the statement said. Sal giunta presents his medal of honor to his brigade and says. A soldier who bounded forward to recover wounded during an ambush in afghanistan was the army s first living medal of honor recipient since the vietnam conflict. A memoir and millions of other books are available for instant access.
He became the first living recipient since vietnam to receive the honor for action in a. Nov 16, 2010 medal of honor goes to first living recipient from afghan war. Staff sergeant salvatore, sal, giunta was the first living person to receive the medal of honorthe highest honor presented by the u. Gallardo moved back to his bravo team to get situation reports, spc. It is the first time since the vietnam war that a living soldier has received that award. Giunta is being recognized for his valor in the wars i. Giunta earned this honor for his actions on a remote hilltop in eastern afghanistan on the night of oct. Moh recipients sal giunta, drew dix and pete lemon at. Moh recipient giunta to leave army orange county register. Army staff sergeant salvatore giunta was awarded the medal of honor for putting himself in the line of fire to save two comrades. Medal of honor for staff sergeant salvatore giunta youtube.
Giunta provided covering fire by leading his team in suppressing enemy. Congressional medal of honor recipient army staff sgt. Jan 11, 2017 for the modern war institutes first speaker series event of 2017, retired staff sgt. Gates prior to the medal of honor presentation ceremony at the. Giunta was awarded the medal of honor, the nations highest military valor decoration, for his heroic acts during an enemy engagement in korengal valley, afghanistan, in october 2007. Salvatore giunta is the first living soldier from the wars in iraq or afghanistan to be chosen to receive the medal of honor. Salvatore giunta say they are not surprised the iowan performed heroically. Medal of honor for army sergeant the new york times. Salvatore giunta, the tribute to his heroism was bittersweet because it was a bloody day in afghanistans korengal valley and the soldier he saved later died. Medal of honor goes to first living recipient from afghan war. Army staff sergeant salvatore sal giunta was awarded the. The president of the united states of america, authorized by act of congress, march 3, 1863, has awarded, in the name of congress, the medal of honor to then specialist salvatore a.
A medals burden, a soldiers sacrifice politics white. Salvatore giunta, 25, will receive the nations highest award for valor for rushing directly into enemy fire during a taliban. Meet sal giunta, the first living medal of honor winner. This undated handout photo provided by the defense department shows army staff sgt. Giunta is the first living medal of honor recipient since the vietnam war. Salvatore giunta became the first living medal of honor recipient in nearly 40 years. Giunta was cited for saving the lives of members of his squad on 25 october 2007 during the war in afghanistan. Salvatore giunta at a book signing at a post exchange in vicenza, italy in 20. Salvatore giunta, the only living soldier from the wars in iraq and afghanistan to receive the. First medal of honor for a living afghan war vet the. Awarding the medal of honor to staff sergeant salvatore a. Medal of honor recipient salvatore giunta tells his story csmonitor.
Salvatore giunta during a ceremony in the east room of the white house in washington, tuesday, nov. Those who receive the coveted honor usually say their teammates share in the honor. President obama presents the medal of honor to army staff sgt. Giunta received the medal of honor for his actions during a 2007 battle in eastern afghanistans korengal valley. Salvatore giunta given medal of honor for trying to save. Giunta is a candid account of the life of an american hero who is first living person since the conclusion of the vietnam war to be presented the medal of honor. Soldier gives his medal of honor to the brigade he says earned it. Medal of honor recipient staff sergeant sal giunta ret. Salvatore giunta, of the 173rd airborne combat team in vicenza, italy, poses in front of his headquarters may 25, 2010. Medal of honor recipient sergeant salvatore giunta. President barack obama smiles after he presented the medal of honor to army staff sgt. Pitts extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, company c, 2d battalion airborne, 503d infantry regiment, 173d airborne brigade and the united states army.
Soldier for life with medal of honor recipient staff sergeant sal. Despite being under heavy fire by pkm, rpg, and small arms, spc. Heres his story of what happened that day in afghanistan. Us army staff sergeant salvatore giunta is the first living medal of honor recipient for service in iraq and afghanistan.
Leadership lessons from salvatore giunta wichita regional. Medal of honor presentation ceremony for salvatore. Nov 16, 2010 president barack obama presents the medal of honor to army staff sgt. He is the first living person to receive the united states armed forces highest decoration for valor, the medal of honor, for actions that occurred since. Salvatore giunta handed over his medal of honor to the 173rd airborne brigade, saying it should recognize the unit as a whole. Salvatore giunta received a phone call from president barack obama yesterday, thanking him for his service. Military advantage, this book is not the only available tool for finding a. Therefore it need a free signup process to obtain the book. Staff sergeant salvatore giunta, the nations newest medal of honor recipient, joined two of his forbearers, drew dix and pete lemon, at a rededication ceremony for the home of heroes memorial at the pueblo convention center in. Jan 12, 2017 in this episode of the modern war institute podcast, capt. Salvatore giunta beams during the daily flag retreat ceremony at disneyland last month. Salvatore giunta in the east room of the white house, nov.
On a date to be determined by the white house, the first living recipient in a war since vietnam, staff sergeant ssgt salvatore giunta, united states army, will receive the medal of honor. Washington president barack obama describes the heroic actions of staff sgt. Today, president barack obama has awarded army staff sergeant salvatore giunta the medal of honor. Trump awards medal of honor to army medic for heroic. One of the heroes of the recent american military conflicts was a serviceman by the name of sergeant salvatore giunta. Salvatore giunta, who rushed into enemy fire to aid fellow soldiers during a harrowing battle in afghanistan in 2007, on tuesday became the first living soldier since. Salvatore augustine giunta is a former united states army soldier and the first living person. Unit history for staff sergeant salvatore giunta medal of honor recipient. Sep 17, 2010 back to blog new medal of honor recipient, staff sergeant salvatore giunta, united states army waring hills sep 17, 2010.
Salvatore giunta will receive the medal of honor the nations highest medal for valor from president barack obama during a white house ceremony slated for 2 p. The medal has been awarded posthumously seven previous times for those wars. Gallardo was struck in the helmet by an ak47 round, which caused him to fall to the ground. This excerpt, about medal of honor recipient salvatore giunta, is from the book war by sebastian. Obama to present medal of honor to soldier who displayed. Sep 10, 2010 president barack obama talks on the phone from the oval office, sept. Medal of honor award to salvatore giunta speech american. Giunta, now 25, of hiawatha, iowa, was an army specialist when he took part in the firefight in eastern. He attended infantry one station unit training and the basic airborne course at fort benning, georgia, before being. Salvatore giunta at the white house tuesday, president barack obama awardedpresented the medal of honor to staff sgt. It is the highest honor given by the military and is awarded for valor on the battlefield. Army, the medal of honor for conspicuous gallantry for his courageous actions against an armed enemy in the korengal valley of.
President obama introduces moh recipient ssg salvatore giunta. Giunta and jenny giunta via teleconference from italy. Salvatore giunta, freshly awarded the medal of honor for valor, joined a select group of. First living medal of honor recipient since vietnam war. Family of fallen local soldier thinks friend will earn. Soldier awarded medal of honor for heroism in afghanistan. Giunta distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifle team leader with. Salvatore giunta, the first living medal of honor recipient since the vietnam war era, addressed a packed ike hall and delivered a moving lecture about the importance of leadership and trusting ones team.
Sal giuntaspecialist sal giunta was on patrol in the korengal valley of afghanistan on the moonlit night of 25 october 2007 when his platoon was. Salvatore giunta during a ceremony at the white house. The president may award, and present in the name of congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances. Giunta s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, company b, 2d battalion airborne, 503d infantry regiment, and the united states army. A call to staff sergeant salvatore giunta whitehouse. Staff sergeant salvatore giunta medal of honor recipient. Salvatore giunta, on thursday at the base in italy where hes stationed to tell him hed. Welcome,you are looking at books for reading, the the unforgiving minute a soldiers education, you will able to read or download in pdf or epub books and notice some of author may have lock the live reading for some of country. He retired from the army in june of 2011 and is the author of the book. Soldier gives his medal of honor to the brigade he. Salvatore giunta after awarding him the medal of honor during a ceremony tuesday in. Salvatore giunta left talks with secretary of defense robert m. Medal of honor recipient says teamwork most important, not. Medal of honor recipient salvatore giunta tells his story.