Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta First Living Medal of Honor Recipient

[Hazcat]

Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta First Living Medal of Honor Recipient for Service in Afghanistan and Iraq
By KRISTINA WONG
Nov. 16, 2010

--SNIP

While extremely honored to join the ranks of other living recipients, Giunta has insisted his were not the most important actions that day, and that he, like the other men of the Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment was just doing his job. He has also called Oct. 25, 2007, the saddest day of his life.

According to the official narrative, Giunta's platoon was heading back to its outpost in the Korengal Valley -- dubbed "the Valley of Death." While providing watch for two platoons, his platoon was ambushed by 10 to 15 enemy personnel who used an "L" shaped, close-range ambush 10 meters away, firing 10 rocket propelled grenades, three machine guns and additional AK-47s from throughout the ambush line.

The enemy immediately hit and wounded two members of the lead team, Staff Sgt. Joshua Brennan and Spc. Frank Eckrode. While then-Staff Sgt. Erick Gallardo moved back to his Bravo Team to get situation reports, Giunta provided covering fire, and led his team in suppressing enemy positions, assigning sectors of fire and commanding his M-203 gunner to engage close targets. While advancing toward the team, Gallardo was struck in the helmet by an AK-47 round, which caused him to fall to the ground. Despite being under heavy fire by PKM, RPG, and small arms, Giunta immediately left his covered position and pulled his squad leader to safety. Giunta was struck twice by bullets -- one stopped by his protective body armor; the other hit a weapon he carried across his back.

Giunta then began moving forward toward the enemy with Pfc. Garrett Clary and Gallardo, throwing grenades, running forward, throwing more grenades, then running forward again through enemy machine gun and small arms fire in an attempt to subdue the enemy. They then assaulted forward through those positions, found an injured Eckrode, and began treating his wounds. It was not known at that time that the squad's medic, Spc. Hugo Mendoza, had already succumbed to his wounds. Realizing that Brennan was missing, Clary and Giunta continued to push forward toward the enemy, taking small arms the whole time. It was then that Giunta spotted two enemy combatants attempting to drag off Brennan, who had been badly wounded. Giunta ran toward the enemy combatants, shooting one at close range until he dropped to the ground, and causing the other to drop Brennan and flee.

--SNIP--

http://abcnews.go.com/News/25-year-iowan-recieve-living-medal-honor-valor/story?id=12160138 

More at link

[PegLeg45]

While extremely honored to join the ranks of other living recipients, Giunta has insisted his were not the most important actions that day, and that he, like the other men of the Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment was just doing his job. He has also called Oct. 25, 2007, the saddest day of his life.

My hats off to this fine soldier and all the other fine troops who are "just doing their jobs"........ heroes one and all, in my book.

[MikeBjerum]

While extremely honored to join the ranks of other living recipients, Giunta has insisted his were not the most important actions that day, and that he, like the other men of the Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment was just doing his job. He has also called Oct. 25, 2007, the saddest day of his life.

Sounds like all the recipients I've heard, or at least the ones that could talk.

Thank You for "just doing your job!"

[twyacht]

Here's the 60 minutes segment. What a brave young man. Goes into extensive detail of his valor, bravery, and duty. (all above and beyond)..

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7054225n&tag=contentMain;cbsCarousel

[tt11758]

Some GOOD news out of Iowa today.  We salute you.

[Sponsor]

[2HOW]

SALUTE 

[fightingquaker13]

If you haven't allready, read the book "War" by Sebastian Junger. He's a hell of a writer who normally does climbing/outdoor stuff. He wrote about that deadly year on Everest.
Anyway, he spent a year and change as an embed with Giunta's platoon at a firebase in Afghanistan. He covers the incident beautifully. Its a great book about some extraordinary Americans. The writer is good too. He doesn't judge, he just reports. One of the best war books I've read since "Black Hawk Down". "War was also made into a mini-series called "Restrepo" which aired on either Show Time" or HBO.
FQ13

[fullautovalmet76]

Following on what others have written, this is a compelling story. But for a little background on the area Sgt. Giunta was in, see the documentary "Restrepo". The OP they were on was named after a medic who was KIA in an operation there in 2006. Sgt. Rougle is in this documentary too and his death is told in an operation called "Rock Avalanche" in the film.

I have a greater appreciation for what these young men are doing over there. Frankly, we need to get these boys home; they deserve better.