List of living medal of honor recipients wikipedia. Salvatore sal giunta wants to honor those he served with. Salvatore giunta became the first living soldier to receive the medal of honor since 1976. Giunta will be the first living recipient of the award since the vietnam war. President barack obama presents the medal of honor to staff sergeant salvatore giunta in the east room of the white house, november 16, 2010. Medal of honor winner staff sergeant sal giuntas empowering memoir describes a boy working at a subway shop who was attracted to an army recruiting. Medal of honor for staff sergeant salvatore giunta the. Salvatore giunta view live at 1400 et today from todays standto staff sgt. Staff sergeant salvatore, sal, giunta was the first living person to receive the medal of honor the highest honor presented by the u. Giunta s medal of honor ceremony gazette staffsourcemedia remarks by the president in awarding the medal of honor to staff sergeant salvatore a. Salvatore giunta will receive the medal of honor the nations highest medal for valor from president barack obama during a white house ceremony slated for 2 p. For giunta, medal of honor is bittersweet heroes 2011. Salvatore giunta simple english wikipedia, the free. At pentagon, medal of honor recipient inducted into hall.
In this fascinating and riveting memoir, he depicts the realities of war, as well as the momentbymoment details of the event that earned him the nations highest distinction. Giunta s platoon was conducting a movement to contact to interdict enemy forces on the gatigal spur, in order to provide over watch for 2nd and 3rd. Giunta delivered 16 november 2010, east room, the white house good afternoon, everybody. Medal of honor recipient says teamwork most important, not. Army staff sergeant has become the first living recipient of the medal of honor since the vietnam war. Salvatore giunta, with his wife, jenny, at his side, told reporters after his medal of honor ceremony that although im the one standing here, wearing this medal now, i want to make it. Salvatore augustine giunta, born january 21 1985, used to be a united states navy soldier, and, in 2010, he got the navys highest award, the medal of honor. Washington in an emotional ceremony, president obama on. Staff sergeant salvatore giunta, the first living soldier awarded the medal of honor since vietnam, spoke with reporters. Thank you, chaplain carver, for that beautiful invocation. He is one of the few living persons to ever be awarded the medal of honor, and he was presented the award by president obama in a white house ceremony on november 16, 2010. 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.
The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the united states. Giunta distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond. Living with honor by giunta, salvatore a author 2012 hardcover. Salvatore giunta was stoic as president barack obama hung the medal of honor around his neck, shook his hand and embraced him. The medal of honor was created during the american civil war and is the highest military decoration presented by the united states government to a member of its armed forces. 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. Medal of honor for staff sergeant salvatore giunta. The president presents the medal of honor for conspicuous gallantry to staff sergeant salvatore giunta, u.
Staff sergeant salvatore, sal, giunta was the first living person. Staff sergeant salvatore, sal, giunta was the first living person to receive the medal of honorthe highest honor presented by the u. How much do you know about these famous american war. Giunta has also received numerous other commendations, including the bronze star, meritorious service medal. Giunta, from hiawatha, iowa, is the first living veteran of the wars in iraq and afghanistan to receive the award. For the unrivaled bravery and selflessness of his actions, giunta was awarded the medal of honor by president obama.
The first living soldier to win the medal of honor since the vietnam war tells lara logan in an emotional interview just what he did to earn the nations highest combat honor and how the. In a ceremony broadcast around the country, president obama gushed over this hero. Soldier for life with medal of honor recipient staff sergeant sal. Sal giunta gives his medal of honor to 173rd airborne brigade commander col. On 5 july 2017, during a dedication ceremony for the medal of honor walkway, located outside of the 173rd airborne brigade headquarters building in vicenza, italy, salvatore giunta chose to give his medal of honor to the brigade. He lives in colorado with his wife, jen, and their daughter. Greg anderson during a ceremony marking a new memorial to the brigades 18 medal of honor awardees on. Salvatore giunta for extraordinary bravery in the face of almost death. Living with honor book by salvatore giunta, joe layden.
Giunta has also received numerous other commendations, including the bronze star, meritorious service medal and the purple heart. Reading of the medal of honor citation for ssg salvatore. On behalf of michelle and myself, welcome to the white house. As president barack obama hangs the pale blue ribbon holding the medal of honor around the neck of 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. Awarding the medal of honor to staff sergeant salvatore a. Living with honor by giunta, salvatore a author 2012 hardcover on. President obama awards staff sergeant salvatore giunta, u. President barack obama presents the medal of honor to army staff sgt. President barack obama talks on the phone from the oval office, sept. President obama presents the medal of honor to staff. Salvatore giunta, freshly awarded the medal of honor for valor, joined a select group of service members inducted into the hall of heroes. For more of the details of the firefight, and some insightful commentary, read this excerpt from the book. He was the first person to get one since the vietnam war giunta s received the medal of honor for his actions during a fierce battle following an enemy ambush in afghanistans korengal valley in october 2007.
Us army sergeant salvatore giunta to receive medal of. There were, literally, thousands of bullets in the air at once, and more tracers streaking across the sky than there were stars overhead. Indeed, as president, i have presented the medal of honor three times and. On october 25, 2007, near the korengal valley in afghanistan, specialist salvatore giunta sought out and recovered a fellow soldier who was being. 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 then specialist salvatore a. Awardwinning journalist and bestselling author joe layden has written more than thirty books for adults and children. In living with honor, this hero who maintains he is just a soldier tells us the story of the fateful day in afghanistan that led to his. In living with honor, this hero who maintains he is just a soldier tells us the story of the fateful day in afghanistan that led to his receiving the unique honor. Salvatore augustine giunta is a former united states army soldier and the first living person since the vietnam war to receive the u. Salvatore giunta, a soldier who risked his life to stop taliban fighters from kidnapping a fallen comrade, will be the first living u.
The military advantage board of veterans appeals veterans affairs. Official narrative for staff sergeant salvatore giunta medal of honor recipient. Some are heralded, while others are relatively unsung. Giunta was cited for saving the lives of members of his squad on 25 october 2007 during the war in afghanistan. Soldier gives his medal of honor to the brigade he says. Giunta was the first living recipient of the medal of honor for service in iraq or afghanistan, the first living service member to be awarded the medal of honor since the vietnam war, and the eighth service member to receive the nations highest military. Medal of honor recipient staff sergeant sal giunta ret. Sal giunta, an army staff sergeant who served in afghanistan from 2003 to 2011, discusses his experiences as the first living person since the vietnam war to receive the u.
Army staff sergeant salvatore giunta was awarded the medal of honor for putting himself in the line of fire to save two comrades. Medal of honor for army sergeant the new york times. Army europes 173rd airborne brigade combat team stand and listen to the medal of honor citation at the ceremony at the. Salvatore augustine giunta born 21 january 1985 is a former united states army soldier and the first living person since the vietnam war to receive the u.
Salvatore giunta in a white house ceremony today, giuntas wife jennifer will be at. Military advantage, this book is not the only available tool for finding a. Medal of honor for staff sergeant salvatore giunta youtube. Salvatore giunta during a ceremony in the east room of the white house in washington, tuesday, nov.
Living with honor book by salvatore giunta, joe layden official. Giuntamedal of honor operation enduring freedom, official citation. On 5 july 2017, during a dedication ceremony for the medal of honor. President barack obama awards staff sergeant salvatore giunta, u. 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. So, this group would open fire and draw all the attention from all these people, because you want to eliminate the threat. Army the first living servicemember from the iraq or afghanistan wars to receive it. He is the first living veteran of the wars in afghanistan and. Medal of honor winner suffers for our sins psychology today. Army, the medal of honor for conspicuous gallantry for his courageous actions against an armed enemy in the korengal valley of. Salvatore giunta, medal of honor, war in afghanistan youtube. Salvatore giunta, 25, received americas highest bravery medal from. The president may award, and present in the name of congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who while a member of the army, distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
It was a miracle that most of us werent killed instantly. Army, the medal of honor for conspicuous gallantry in the east room of the white house november. Medal of honor award to salvatore giunta speech american. During the ceremony, president barack obama broke from his written speech to say, i really like this guy, about giunta. America has produced a lot of war heroes, men and women who acted above and beyond the call of duty.
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