Amazing speech of medal of honor recipient army staff sgt. President barack obama presented the medal of honor nov. The three other living recipients, all of whom served in afghanistan, are. Salvatore giunta, 25, 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. Medal of honor for staff sergeant salvatore giunta. Jan 11, 20 a total of 10 medals of honor have been awarded for the wars in iraq and afghanistan.
Obama informed the infantryman that he would receive the nations highest award for his service and extraordinary bravery in battle, the statement said. Army staff sergeant has become the first living recipient of the medal of honor since the vietnam war. He responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. Greg anderson during a ceremony marking a new memorial to the brigades 18 medal of honor awardees on.
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. Giunta receives medal of honor ausa voice for the army. For more of the details of the firefight, and some insightful commentary, read this excerpt from the book war by sebastian junger. The president may award, and present in the name of congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances.
Jan 12, 2017 in this episode of the modern war institute podcast, capt. 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. Heres his story of what happened that day in afghanistan. A memoir and millions of other books are available for instant access. Nov 16, 2010 president obama awards staff sergeant salvatore giunta, u. President obama awards staff sergeant salvatore giunta, u. Sal giunta decided to join the army almost on a whim. Staff sergeant salvatore, sal, giunta was the first living person to receive the medal of honorthe highest honor presented by the u. Family of fallen local soldier thinks friend will earn. Medal of honor goes to first living recipient from afghan. Salvatore sal giunta became the first living recipient of the u. Salvatore giunta, an army staff sergeant who stepped into.
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. 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. Those who receive the coveted honor usually say their teammates share in the honor, and giunta was no exception. Profile for staff sergeant salvatore giunta medal of honor recipient. Staff sergeant salvatore giunta will be awarded the medal of honor for his actions in afghanistans korengal.
Apr 16, 2016 squad leader erick gallardo to staff sergeant salvatore giunta. Salvatore giunta was born in the state of iowa in 1985. Nov 16, 2010 medal of honor goes to first living recipient from afghan war. In summing up his life prior to joining the army in 2003, salvatore said, the first 18 years of my life were in iowa. Reprinted with permission from twelve books hachette book group, new york, ny. A total of 10 medals of honor have been awarded for the wars in iraq and afghanistan. Army staff sergeant salvatore giunta, author of living with honor, talked to brian about his book and why he received the medal of honor. Salvatore giunta left talks with secretary of defense robert m.
Sal giunta gives his medal of honor to 173rd airborne brigade commander col. 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. Salvatore giunta for extraordinary bravery in the face of almost death. The three other living recipients, all of whom served in afghanistan, are army staff sgt. Salvatore giunta, a soldier who risked his life to stop taliban fighters from kidnapping a fallen comrade, will be the first living u. At age 17 while working at a subway store he saw a commercial where army recruiters were giving away free tshirts at the local mall. Gallardo was struck in the helmet by an ak47 round, which caused him to fall to the. A call to staff sergeant salvatore giunta whitehouse. He attended infantry one station unit training and the basic airborne course at fort benning, georgia, before being.
Sal giunta will be featured in a new book which includes two previously released graphic novels on staff sgt. Salvatore sal giunta wants to honor those he served with. Medal of honor goes to first living recipient from afghan war. Salvatore giunta at the white house tuesday, president barack obama awardedpresented the medal of honor to staff sgt. Army, the medal of honor for conspicuous gallantry for his courageous actions against an armed enemy in the korengal valley of afghanistan in october 2007. Nov 16, 2010 president barack obama presents the medal of honor to army staff sgt. Staff sergeant salvatore giunta, the first living recipient of the medal of honor in the war on terror, is, as the president said, as humble as he is heroic. Jan 11, 2017 for the modern war institutes first speaker series event of 2017, retired staff sgt.
Army in 1999, and was posted at various times in germany, south korea and colorado. Jul 04, 2010 giuntas actions were recounted in a 2008 new york times magazine article and in a new book titled war, by sebastian junger. Sep 10, 2010 president barack obama talks on the phone from the oval office, sept. Salvatore giunta is the first living soldier from the wars in iraq or afghanistan to be chosen to receive the medal of honor. Medal of honor for staff sergeant salvatore giunta youtube. Obama awards medal of honor to iowa staff sergeant. Giuntas 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. Salvatore giunta, an army staff sergeant who stepped into the line of fire to help a pair of comrades on the afghan battlefield, was awarded the medal of honor by president barack obama. 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. Us army sergeant salvatore giunta to receive medal of. At the white house on tuesday, a young man from iowa, 25yearold staff sergeant salvatore giunta, will become the first living soldier to earn the medal of honor since the vietnam war. Salvatore giunta, 24, is credited with saving the lives. Army, the medal of honor for conspicuous gallantry for his courageous actions against an armed enemy in the korengal valley of. Medal of honor for staff sergeant salvatore giunta the.
Salvatore giunta repeatedly ran directly into fire from taliban insurgents to save the lives of some of his fellow soldiers. In recognition of giuntas bravery, president obama on tuesdays is presenting him with the countrys highest military award, the medal of honor, making giunta the first. A video clip was shown in the background as he talked about 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. President barack obama presents the medal of honor to army staff sgt. Salvatore giunta became the first living medal of honor recipient in nearly 40 years. Squad leader erick gallardo to staff sergeant salvatore giunta.
Salvatore giunta, 25, received americas highest bravery medal from. Prior to that, he was responsible for the health, welfare, morale, training, and accountability of the soldiers in his company in the army, working to ensure all unit family members were well taken care of while their spouses were deployed in afghanistan. Staff sergeant salvatore giunta medal of honor recipient. Giunta was cited for saving the lives of members of his squad on 25 october 2007 during the war in afghanistan. Salvatore giunta, 25, received americas highest bravery medal from president obama in. Salvatore giunta during a ceremony in the east room of the white house in washington, tuesday, nov. Salvatore giunta, the first living recipient of the medal of honor for action in the wars in afghanistan and. President barack obama presents the medal of honor to staff sgt. Staff sergeant salvatore giunta back to the drawing. Medal of honor recipient salvatore giunta tells his story. One of the heroes of the recent american military conflicts was a serviceman by the name of sergeant salvatore giunta. President barack obama talks on the phone from the oval office, sept. In this episode of the modern war institute podcast, capt.
Giunta received the medal of honor for his actions during a 2007 battle in eastern afghanistans korengal valley. Giuntas 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. Reprinted with permission from twelve bookshachette book group, new york, ny. Salvatore giunta was described as a humble, lowkey soldier one that shies away from the limelight. Army staff sergeant salvatore giunta was awarded the medal of honor for putting himself in the line of fire to save two comrades. Army tuesday in the east room of the white house in washington, d. Salvatore giunta received a phone call from president barack obama yesterday, thanking him for his service.
This excerpt, about medal of honor recipient salvatore giunta, is from the book war by sebastian junger. Feature know your military new book of wwii photos highlights significance of army signal corps. Giuntas actions were recounted in a 2008 new york times magazine article and in a new book titled war, by sebastian junger. He is the first living veteran of the wars in afghanistan and. Meet sal giunta, the first living medal of honor winner. The book describes the authors time embedded with a unit of the 173rd airborne brigade combat team, which includes giuntas platoon.
1036 678 180 790 1428 1119 1253 1456 1084 1346 1230 124 1042 1580 738 600 1431 86 84 394 961 498 704 382 963 850 543 604 1059 1313 989 1103