Valor Friday
Today’s Valor Friday is dedicated to Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta, of B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, V Corps, Vicenza, Italy.
He participated in two combat deployments to Afghanistan. His first combat deployment was during Operation Enduring Freedom VI, March 2005 to March 2006. His second combat deployment to Afghanistan was during Operation Enduring Freedom VIII, May 2007 to July 2008. During this second deployment, on October 25, 2007, Staff Sgt. Giunta’s platoon (in which he was then a specialist serving as a rifle team leader) was ambushed in the rugged Korengal Valley of eastern Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Giunta
Citation
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
Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta
United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, on October 25, 2007. 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. Specialist Salvatore A. 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.
Thanks to US Army Center of Military History
Category: Afghanistan, The Warrior Code
I am humbled by the bravery of men and women such as this.
BZ SSG (Fmr SPC) Giunta. Young people of your caliber is what gives us old folks hope for the future of our country. We are also thankful that it didn’t take decades for your courage under fire to be recognized. Live long, be fruitful, and multiply. The gene pool needs your DNA.
Ditto
Amen!
The first two comments (HMC and 5th/77th) are spot on and echo the sentiments of a great many of us I suspect.
I’ll avoid a long winded post of my own and just thank you for expressing my feelings as well.
Well Done SSGT Giunta
May we always be worthy of such men.
Many highly decorated warriors who live to accept their medals speak not of their valor but the valor and sacrifices of others in their unit. Giunta was downright pissed off that he was singled out and when he was told his name had been submitted, he said, “No but thanks.” He never wavered from his belief that he had done what anyone else would have done under the same circumstances and said that his performance was average. So, when he rec’d the Medal of Honor, he gave it to his brigade, in a ceremony in Italy.
Don’t surprise me that he did that….And that is just cool as hell. Thanks for sharing A/C!
Sal symbolically presented the Medal of Honor that the President put around his neck to the Brigade last year.
Clint Romesha and Flo Groberg have symbolically given their original Medals to 4th BDE, 4th ID at Fort Carson.
All great men who attribute their Medals of Honor to all of those who were with them on the days of the actions that lead to them receiving the award.
The Soldier the enemy was attempting to carry away was Sal’s best friend, Josh Brennan. Josh’s wounds were horrific. Sal stayed with him until the medevac arrived. The medic with them on the patrol, Hugo Mendoza, was killed in the ambush. Sadly, Josh did not survive either. The Hugo V. Mendoza Soldier Family Care Center at Fort Bliss was dedicated to Hugo the day it was opened.
Sal is an incredible guy all the way around. He and TSO have shared some “special” moments. I’ll just leave it at that. 🙂