Sal Giunta awards brigade his Medal of Honor
I’m sure you know the name of Sal Giunta – he was the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since Vietnam in 2010 for his actions on October 25, 2007 while he was assigned to B (Battle) Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. From his citation;
While conducting a patrol as team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, Specialist Giunta and his team were navigating through harsh terrain when they were ambushed by a well-armed and well-coordinated insurgent force. While under heavy enemy fire, Specialist Giunta immediately sprinted towards cover and engaged the enemy. Seeing that his squad leader had fallen and believing that he had been injured, Specialist Giunta exposed himself to withering enemy fire and raced towards his squad leader, helped him to cover, and administered medical aid. While administering first aid, enemy fire struck Specialist Giunta’s body armor and his secondary weapon. Without regard to the ongoing fire, Specialist Giunta engaged the enemy before prepping and throwing grenades, using the explosions for cover in order to conceal his position. Attempting to reach additional wounded fellow soldiers who were separated from the squad, Specialist Giunta and his team encountered a barrage of enemy fire that forced them to the ground. The team continued forward and upon reaching the wounded soldiers, Specialist Giunta realized that another soldier was still separated from the element. Specialist Giunta then advanced forward on his own initiative. As he crested the top of a hill, he observed two insurgents carrying away an American soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other. Upon reaching the wounded soldier, he began to provide medical aid, as his squad caught up and provided security. Specialist Giunta’s unwavering courage, selflessness, and decisive leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American soldier from the enemy.
The Star & Stripes reports that yesterday, now-Mr Giunta, the civilian, returned to his unit, the 173rd Brigade and gave them the Medal of Honor that was hung around his neck by the President for the brigades new memorial to the 173rd’s heroes;
In a ceremony marking the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s new memorial to all the brigade’s soldiers who earned the military’s highest award, [Giunta] the former Subway sandwich maker unfastened the medal’s blue ribbon from his neck and handed it over to the brigade commander.
“It can’t be with me because it’s ours,” said Giunta…“I want this to stay in Vicenza, Italy, with the 173rd, with the men and women who earn this every single day through their selflessness and sacrifice.”
Thanks to Parachutecutie for the tip.
Category: Real Soldiers
“observed two insurgents carrying away an American soldier”
Selfless.
That American Soldier, SGT Josh Brennan, was one of Sal’s closest friends. Josh was still alive when Sal got to him but in bad shape. The medical personnel did everything they could to save Josh. Sadly he died hours later.
Sal Giunta is 1 class act as well as a true hero
If you haven’t yet, do yourself a favor and watch him speak. His early talk show appearances are especially moving- not particularly because of anything in particular that he says, but because of the humility and clearly earnest love for his country and fellow Soldiers.
Something that fascinates me, as I type this through misty eyes, is SSG Giunta’s relationship with Bruce ‘Snake’ Crandall, of ‘We Were Soldiers Once, and Young’ fame. They became friends, and Bruce help Sal understand his new mission:
“One of the things that I see in him, that I see in every one of us … is that right off he didn’t think he did anything to deserve the medal, and that he was just doing his job,” Crandall said. “It took a little while for me to get it in his head that’s the way we all felt, because we were all just doing our job.”
The title of Giunta’s book is ‘Living With Honor’, and it is about his real battle dealing with the fact that he received the Nation’s highest honor for the worst day of his life:
‘”These are men who beat as much in my heart, and yet you all only know my name”
Just an amazing young American who describes himself as an average guy. To paraphrase Time magazine, if Sal is an average guy then America is doing alright.
Well said Sir!
My wife and I met Sal a number of years ago at a lecture. I also read his book-” living with honor ” what a wonderful man and a true American Hero. Will never forget that night!
I took my teenage son to hear him speak. I’ve told my kids that I don’t care how they serve, as long as they do- either at the local, state or national level. Privately, I tell my boys that they should spend their time in service doing something manly or they will always regret it- as Samuel Johnson said, ‘Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.”
There is also a West Point Institute of Modern War (BTW, good stuff there) podcast episode with Sal where he discusses his experience from a more technical/professional perspective. Fascinating.
Another fascinating fact is how many of the GWOT’s most intense battles and firefights as well as valorous acts came out of the same few units within a relatively small area of Afghanistan.
Makes me proud to see how many heroes of this war came out of Airborne units even though I know that just may be a factor of proximity. I prefer to think it’s because that spirit of willingness to go “All the way,” continues.
Whatever the reason, still makes an old trooper proud…
Thanks for the info on Giunta, Red.
Nice to see classy people making positive news for the military for a change.
Where does America get such men?
Class act through and through.
Well done, sir.
I read that citation as he should’ve died 3 times that day. Most of us would call him a ballsy sonuvabitch if he’d stopped after the 1st time, heroic after the 2nd but 3 times is HOLY FUCKING HELL.
‘Privately, I tell my boys that they should spend their time in service doing something manly or they will always regret it- as Samuel Johnson said, “Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.”
I’ve never read this quote but have thought of its meaning often. I’ve noted when talking with those who have not served but chose NOT to, very often something along the tenor of, “I didn’t serve b/c:
I had flat feet; my mother needed me; I was the only son; I just didn’t think it was important.” Those I speak with sometimes early on in our conversation almost feel the need to justify their not having served. It’s as if they may have regret for not having given a few years service to their country. As if not having served speaks to a possible weakness they find within themselves.
Which is why I have said I don’t care what you did when you served, the fact you were willing to make a sacrifice that others, when offered the chance, chose not to/were unable to make, often for very valid reasons. Your NEC/MOS is of less importance to me than the fact that you stepped up and, hopefully, served honorably and well.
Don’t misunderstand … there are many VALID reasons for not having served. Many. I’m not taking the high, holier than thou road with this post. I get it. There is much to be said in attending college, supporting a mother, being medically disqualified, etc. Just expressing an old man’s outlook on a topic. Your usage may vary. I’m glad I was able to serve.
This is a stand up guy.
I have similar experiences Chief; I dont flaunt my military service but lots of guys I meet seem to have a need to tell me why they did not serve when I could not care less.
I hear ya GB. Same here. I usually smile and say “dilly-gaf” (DILLIGIF). Chuckle and walk away.
IDGAS (Eye-Dee-Gas) (I Don’t Give A Shit) would work as well.
I mention it b/c it came up Friday when we went to our secret place to eyeball the Blues’ practice. It’s as good as being onsite and the practice is the whole show. Of course, they have to practice the show. Three other cars there with families. Shooting the breeze, etc., what did you do? Oh, I’m retired from Navy. Oh, yeah, I could have served but blah, blah, blah, hurt my arm, blah, blah, wanted to go to college, blah, blah. And so it went, all the while I’m thinking I deserve this. I NEVER initiate a con in which I ask what someone does/did and I’ve never been first to bring up military service. In my town being AD or VET is almost a given. It was there, I did it, now I’m long retired and happy I was able to serve and wish I could do it again.
Great and he is a stand up guy. Someone for our kids to look up to but he can’t actually surrender his MOH to anyone
He didn’t surrender it to the Brigade. They are the “keepers” of it.
The one he left in Vicenza is the one the President actually placed around his neck. He hasn’t worn that one for several years.
As has been already said, Sal is one of, if not the best, speakers you’ll ever hear. Little known fact – he has never written a speech. He always speaks from his heart. He is one of my dearest friends. Humble, generous, kind, humerous and fun to be around.
Your right. I went back and re-read the post and I read it wrong the first time.
Mea Culpa
No worries
Manning and Bergdahl both need to be immediately hung .
JDM, I agree with what you’re thinking, I think – they both should be hanged. But including Manning with hung just doesn’t fit somehow.
He simply did his job as well as he could.
Coming late to the post, but…..damn! it’s dusty here suddenly.
I served, but was never in an important position nor did I ever do anything important or brave. Honestly, I was never called to do so.However, I served with many who did. Sadly I also served with some cowards who did more to endanger their fellow soldiers than to help.
Had I ever been in a position to do something brave or heroic I have no clue how I would have reacted. I can only pray I would have served in such a way to make my father, his father, and even his father proud as they all served with honor and received well earned medals.
But I did study many people who did brave and heroic things as well. It was all circumstances and they stood up and took action when others did not. They had no intentions of becoming heros. They did not seek it out. They did what they had to do without thinking about it. It was who and what they were, and most never wanted to even be there, but it was their duty and they did it well.
For all of these men and women, I salute you. I am not envious because I know the circumstances, but I am proud to tears and pray one day my children and grandchildren all stand up to do what they have to do when the circumstances demand it.