Freakin' finally: SSgt Salvatore A. Giunta to be awarded the MOH. And he's still alive.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Freakin' finally: SSgt Salvatore A. Giunta to be awarded the MOH. And he's still alive. (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:09:25 AM EDT

I guess somebody at DOD remembered you don't have to die to earn the MOH. Only took 9 years.

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2010/09/first-living-medal-of-honor-recipient-from-iraq-or-afghanistan-announced.html

Then-Specialist Salvatore 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 Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on October 25, 2007.

When an insurgent force ambush split Specialist Giunta's squad into two groups, he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a comrade back to cover. Later, while engaging the enemy and attempting to link up with the rest of his squad, Specialist Giunta noticed two insurgents carrying away a fellow soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other, and provided medical aid to his wounded comrade while the rest of his squad caught up and provided security. His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon's ability defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American paratrooper from enemy hands.

and

The 2nd Battalion (Airborne) 503rd Infantry Regiment "The Rock” deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 for 15 months of the most intense combat any US unit has faced in this war. During the time they spent on the border with Pakistan, this one battalion averaged three troops in contact incidents every day. They were right in the path of the Taliban’s major push back into Afghanistan after years of resting, recruiting and retraining in their safe havens in Pakistan. The Rock proudly upheld the tradition of our airborne forces in some of the most inhospitable terrain on Earth. SSG Giunta was a member of Battle Company and the exploits of some of his compatriots in that unit are vividly chronicled in Sebastian Junger’s book "War” and the documentary "Restrepo” (in theaters now) he made with Tim Hetherington. The two spent a total of five months with a platoon from Battle Company and the book and film show the tremendous challenges these men faced and overcame.

Giunta was a Specialist when the action occurred and his squad was hit with a well-planned ambush at extremely close range. He was the trail team leader and Josh Brennan was the lead. When the fighting started Brennan was severely wounded, their squad leader was knocked to the ground, their medic was killed and several others were wounded. Giunta immediately began maneuvering toward the enemy throwing grenades and eventually charging them when he saw two of them hauling Josh away. He emptied a magazine killing one and wounding the other and grabbed Brennan telling Josh to stay with him so that he would get a chance to tell heroic stories. They did get Brennan on a medevac chopper, but unfortunately his wounds were too severe and he didn’t survive. But Giunta’s actions stopped the Taliban from taking him and by running headlong at the enemy he disrupted the ambush. SSG Giunta’s story can be read in Junger’s book "War” starting on page 115.

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:12:40 AM EDT

[#1]

Outstanding

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:12:55 AM EDT

[#2]

Sounds like a serious bad-ass. That is a pretty awesome story. I'll have to check out some of the Junger stuff.

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:16:05 AM EDT

[#3]

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release September 10, 2010

Readout of the President's call with Specialist Salvatore Giunta

Yesterday, President Obama spoke with Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta to inform him that he will be awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry at the risk of his life that went above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant Giunta will be the first living service member to be awarded the Medal of Honor for service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The President thanked Sergeant Giunta for his service and extraordinary bravery in battle.

Further information about the date and time of the ceremony will be released at a later date.

ACTION FROM WHICH THE MEDAL OF HONOR WAS EARNED:

Then-Specialist Salvatore 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 Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on October 25, 2007.

When an insurgent force ambush split Specialist Giunta's squad into two groups, he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a comrade back to cover. Later, while engaging the enemy and attempting to link up with the rest of his squad, Specialist Giunta noticed two insurgents carrying away a fellow soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other, and provided medical aid to his wounded comrade while the rest of his squad caught up and provided security. His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon's ability defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American paratrooper from enemy hands.

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:16:15 AM EDT

[#4]

balls of steel

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:19:26 AM EDT

[#5]

I literally just read that section in the book WAR by Sebastian Junger this morning. Damn!!

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:22:55 AM EDT

[#6]

Outstanding!

Congratulations; you have made our military and our nation proud.

Sky Soldier.

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:25:38 AM EDT

[#7]

Hopefully this is a trend and not a one time deal. We need to get our troops recognized to the same standard as previous wars.

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:26:24 AM EDT

[#8]

About time.....

Glad that he didnt have to die to get recogonized for his actions like so many others have. Too many out there that deserve it but got bumpped down due to still being alive.

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:26:35 AM EDT

[#9]

I wonder if the Staff Sergeant asked to defer the award until 2012?

ETA Now THAT would take balls!

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:29:04 AM EDT

[#10]

All the Way!!!!

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:32:03 AM EDT

[#11]

That guy is a bad motherfucker. I am honored to be his countryman, as we all should be.

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:33:26 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Outstanding

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:40:21 AM EDT

[#13]

outstanding

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:41:40 AM EDT

[#14]

Saw a couple of pictures of Sgt. Giunta a while back. It should be noted that he was seriously wounded and lost part of his right arm. Everything I read about him says that he is a real, stand-up guy and we should all be extremely proud of him. He certainly lives up to the motto: "All The Way!".

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:42:17 AM EDT

[#15]

SSG Giunta should NEVER have to buy another beer for the rest of his life.

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:43:35 AM EDT

[#16]

OUTSTANDING!!!!

It's about fucking time somebody survived to wear the damn thing!!!!!!

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:44:35 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

I wonder if the Staff Sergeant asked to defer the award until 2012?

ETA Now THAT would take balls!

That's what I was thinking. I wouldn't want the damn thing after zero touched it.

Posted: 9/10/2010 7:47:39 AM EDT

[#18]

Giunta is on camera in the new documentary "Restrepo" which was filmed by Sebastian Junger during his time with the unit writing "War". SGT Giunta's actions that earned him the Medal of Honor are not caught on camera but he is featured during an extremely heart-wrenching scene in which he learns of his friend SSG Rougle's death during Operation Rock Avalanche. The book is extraordinary, the film is incredible, and Giunta is an American hero.

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:07:33 AM EDT

[#19]

Great work Solider, you did the right thing that day and I'm sure your brother you saved is very, very grateful for your heroic actions.

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:10:01 AM EDT

[#20]

.

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:11:46 AM EDT

[#21]

Outstanding.

The stuff of legends....

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:16:12 AM EDT

[#22]

That's great news. I'm glad someone FINALLY wins the MOH without having to be dead.

But I also think Sergeant Major Kasal should get an MOH for his actions.

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:24:45 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
I wonder if the Staff Sergeant asked to defer the award until 2012?

ETA Now THAT would take balls!

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:32:50 AM EDT

[#24]

Damn straight.

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:40:36 AM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
balls of steel

Balls of adamantium.

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:44:27 AM EDT

[#26]

Brian Chontosh should have been awarded the MOH, IMO.

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:50:43 AM EDT

[#27]

Sgt Maj Kasal and Maj Brian Chontosh should both rate it for sure.

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:53:18 AM EDT

[#28]

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:56:40 AM EDT

[#29]

What an incredible honor for this Soldier.

Posted: 9/10/2010 8:59:16 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
That's great news. I'm glad someone FINALLY wins the MOH without having to be dead.

But I also think Sergeant Major Kasal should get an MOH for his actions.

I remember him AND Diesel_06.

I think of both of them from time to time and wonder what would have happened if the enemy had REALLY pissed either of them off.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:01:03 AM EDT

[#31]

I read somewhere that the Obama admin. wanted to start awarding MoHs to living service members instead of just the dead. If this is something new and really is his idea then I may have finally found something where I agree with him.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:01:57 AM EDT

[#32]

He should insist on receiving the Medal from Bush instead of zero.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:03:19 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:

He should insist on receiving the Medal from Bush instead of zero.

Can that be done?

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:05:33 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:

Sgt Maj Kasal and Maj Brian Chontosh should both rate it for sure.

I was thinking the same thing.

And congrats to SSgt Giunta!

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:06:15 AM EDT

[#35]

Since the events transpired while Bush was still in office.........

And since BUSH sent them there......

And since zero opposes the war........

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:08:36 AM EDT

[#36]

Sounds like he made those shots count, big time.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:08:52 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:

Quoted:

He should insist on receiving the Medal from Bush instead of zero.

Can that be done?

Does it matter? The decoration is presented in the name of Congress. The kenyan mutt is just a delivery boy. The Sergeant should slip him a $5 tip at the ceremony.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:09:59 AM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:

I read somewhere that the Obama admin. wanted to start awarding MoHs to living service members instead of just the dead. If this is something new and really is his idea then I may have finally found something where I agree with him.

This. May be the ONLY policy they've implemented, that I can say I support.

IMHO, if it rated an MOH in Vietnam (and something like this would), it should rate one in OIF/OEF.

For example, the 2LT who singlehandedly took down a NVA machinegun position that was killing his platoon at LZ X-ray, with a LAW and some grenades...

There are quite a few notable battles that one would expect to have produced an MOH award for a living troop, based on an 'in past wars this would have' standard...

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:11:41 AM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:

Quoted:
He should insist on receiving the Medal from Bush instead of zero.

Can that be done?

You can bet your ass that the poor bastard will be micromanaged from the time he gets up in the morning to the day he retires.

He probably knows good and well what this is going to mean to his military career and has probably tried as best he can to NOT be awarded the medal at all. He'd probably be willing to give a year's pay to simply take a Bronze Star and call it good.

Being a MOH awardee on active duty can be a gold plated bastard.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:12:14 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
He should insist on receiving the Medal from Bush instead of zero.

Grow up. This isn't something to be politicized, child.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:13:26 AM EDT

[#41]

I sleep well at night and am grateful to live in the long shadows cast in the daylight by such great warriors as this. I'm getting dust in my eyes.......
Seeker325 out...

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:16:49 AM EDT

[#42]

[doubletap

Machine is running slow out here

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:18:12 AM EDT

[#43]

Fucking badass

ETA: I have an MoH question. Could he lock up with Obama if O doesn't solute him?

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:20:51 AM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:

. The kenyan mutt is just a delivery boy. The Sergeant should slip him a $5 tip at the ceremony.

I'd give a HUGE chunk of change to see THAT happen!

'Here's a little something for you and the Missus."

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:26:27 AM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:

Quoted:
He should insist on receiving the Medal from Bush instead of zero.

Grow up. This isn't something to be politicized, child.

Hint, somebody else will be politcizing and photo-opping the hell out of this, and it won't be SSG Giunta.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:28:12 AM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:

For example, the 2LT who singlehandedly took down a NVA machinegun position that was killing his platoon at LZ X-ray, with an AT4 and some grenades...

We have time traveling butterbars

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:30:16 AM EDT

[#47]

Thanks for going all out to take care of your troops SSG Giunta, well done.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:31:43 AM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:

Quoted:

For example, the 2LT who singlehandedly took down a NVA machinegun position that was killing his platoon at LZ X-ray, with an AT4 and some grenades...

We have time traveling butterbars

Maybe he meant to say LAW?