Posted on 07/01/2010 3:24:19 PM PDT by centurion316
SSG Sal Giunta, a paratrooper w/ the 173rd Airborne, will be awarded the first Medal of Honor given to a living recipient since the Vietnam War. He earned this by charging a group of Taliban who were trying to make off with a wounded comrade in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan. His actions broke the Taliban’s attack and allowed him to regain control of SGT Josh Brennan. He also saved the lives of the many other members of his unit who had been caught in a fixed ambush by the Taliban. Giunta didn’t hesitate one second before advancing on his own to ensure the enemy would never take one of ours, but sadly Josh Brennan was too badly wounded too survive. His cousin PVT Joe Brennan recently graduated airborne school and has joined the same unit proudly carrying on Josh’s memory.
SSG Salvatore GiuntaSSG Salvatore Giunta
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. They 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 along with the squad leader, their medic, and several others. 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 make it. But Giunta’s actions stopped the Taliban from taking him and by running headlong at the enemy he disrupted the ambush.
It has been far too long since we have awarded the Medal of Honor to someone who survived, and SSG Giunta is a wonderful addition to the ranks of those who have earned our country’s highest honor. There are a number of others under consideration for this decoration and hopefully this is a sign that more of these brave warriors will be recognized. Our sources confirm this has been approved by the White House and they are only waiting to set a date for the ceremony.
We salute SSG Giunta and all who serve or have served our country. We are also proud to announce that Andrew Breitbart will be launching a new site called Big Peace on July 4th to focus on the efforts of our troops to spread freedom and liberty and all of those who work to ensure our national security.
ALRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!
Good Job!
is this official? Last I heard the name hadn’t been released yet. If it’s not official, the blogger should have kept the name to himself until it was announced.
ATW!
Regards,
Semper Fi marine, from an old salt.
If I were Giunta, I’d ask if George Bush could make the presentation; with Zero doing the job it’s going to be a big “See? I love the military” photo op focused on The One.
I guess that you are right, we can’t have his name and exploits out there for the American people to admire just in time for Independence Day. It might detract from Obama’s Amnesty Agenda. It is about priorities, isn’t it.
The 173rd kicked some serious VC butt in Vietnam-it’s good to hear the new kids are keeping up the tradition.
SSG Guinta is a Paratrooper, assigned to B Company, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. But, I'm sure that all our Marine brethren will join in giving him a big Semper Fi.
Airborne!
Another hero recognized as the best America has to offer.
I salute you, SSG. Guinta.
Outstanding job by SSgt Sal Guinta. Hand salute!
Thanks for the photo. Everyone can read more about SSG Guinta at this link
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/magazine/24afghanistan-t.html?pagewanted=10
Google Korengal Valley, Battle Company, and you will find several Vanity Fair links to slide shows that show a number of pictures of Battle Company in action, including their Company Commander, Captain Dan Kearney. We can all be thankful that men such as this exist amongst the flaming cesspool of our political leadership.
From an old SEABEE to the Marine....The Marines, too, CAN DO.
But what does it mean by “first living” MOH recipient? There have been many who received the medal while still alive.
Amen to that! A great many politicians aren't qualified to polish these warriors boots.
Most welcome on the pic and thanks for the link and the heads up on the other.
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