At last - at long last. Staff Sergeant Sal Giunta, United States Army - Bravo Zulu.
On Friday, the White House announced that President Obama decided to award Giunta, now a staff sergeant, the Medal of Honor.The executive summary:
He will become the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor who has served in any war since Vietnam.
Under a bright Afghan moon, eight U.S. paratroopers trudged along a ridge in the Korengal Valley, unaware they were walking right into a trap. Less than 20 feet away, a band of Taliban fighters executed the ambush plan perfectly, enveloping the paratrooper squad in an explosion of bullets and grenades.
Salvatore Giunta, a 22-year-old Army specialist from Hiawatha, Iowa, was knocked flat by the gunfire; luckily, a well-aimed round failed to penetrate his armored chest plate. As the paratroopers tried to gather their senses and scramble for a shred of cover, Giunta reacted instinctively, running straight into the teeth of the ambush to aid three wounded soldiers, one by one, who had been separated from the others.
Two paratroopers died in the Oct. 25, 2007, attack, and most of the others sustained serious wounds. But the toll would have been far higher if not for the bravery of Giunta, according to members of his unit and Army officials.
20 comments:
It truly is about time. Such things, such timely things, Matter.
Good Job SSGT!
To your health.
A genuine hero. This is a beautiful post to close out the week with, CDR. I hope that Specialist Giunta's name is honored all over America.
God bless Staff Sergeant Giunta! May his name be added to the rolls of Americas greatest hero's, and his name shine forever.
Magnificent. Truly magnificent.
And Salamander is correct, it is more than high time.
SSgt Giunta is a shining example of selfless heroism. And there are others who should be reconsidered for the award.
A true hero worthy of respect, admiration and a snappy salute! Well don, soldier!
My only complaint is that this should have been released by POTUS in prime time at his news conference today, not buried in a relase from "Slow Joe" Biden's office in a Friday document dump like they usually do to bury news they don't want people to know about.
Still, welcome news, no matter how delivered.
Now, let's get some more MOH awards approved for others who have earned them, especially live winners!
Yesterday, I had to wait at an intersection as a forever young Staff Sgt was returning home for the last time...
Where do we find such men? We dont, they just keep showing up.
<p><span>The Give and Take of Death (Lt. Collins' Flag Day Speech. of Sand Pebbles Fame, USS San Pablo. U.S. Navy gunboat patrolling the Hunan tributary of the Yangtze River in China, 1920s). "Today we begin cruising to show the flag on Tungting Lake (China) and the Hunan Rivers. I want all honors rendered smartly. At home in America, when today reaches them it will be Flag Day. For us who wear the uniform every day is Flag Day. It is said that there will be no more wars. We must pretend to believe that. But when war comes, it is we who will take the first shock, and buy time with our lives. It is we who keep the Faith. We serve the Flag. <span>The trade we all follow is the give and take of death</span>. It is for that purpose that the people of America maintain us. And anyone of us who believes he has a job like any other, for which he draws a money wage, is a thief of the food he eats, and a trespasser in the bunk in which he lies down to sleep. </span></p>
TEST
I do believe they discussed this ambush in "War". Well done soldier!
Overdue and most welcome. Well done, SSGT.
Now let's go back an upgrade the rewards of those cheated of of theirs by men not fit to clean their boots.
Don't forget that this heroism (and a lot more) is chronicled in WAR by Sebastian Junger. And there is also RESTREPO to watch.
It is good there continue to be young men to volunteer to go in the footsteps of others. That is what sustains us.
God Bless SSGT Guinta.
Well, remember he's just the tip of the iceberg, and many more like him are serving seeking no greater reward than to save their brothers in arms and protect their country.
BTW, on 9/11 anniversary, best wishes to the US, and let it be ultimately victorious in this long war....
As an active duty service member, it is hard not to feel pride for this young man. I look forward to watching the first Medal of Honor ceremony in my life to another active duty service member. As an officer, I hope that I come across him in order to be privelged to give him a salute.
Congratulations. We are all proud of you.
Thanks. :)
I've read "War". It's an amazing saga. We are blessed as a nation to have such men in our military.
Appreciate the thought, Pawel!
ewok, SSG Giunta says the same thing. In today's NYT article he's quoted as saying "This was one moment. In my battalion I am mediocre at best. This shows how great the rest of them are."
For every decorated in the spotlight, there are dozens of unsung heroes, whose value know only their brothers in arms. And most of the real heroes are surprisingly humble men, who know that full well.
Искренним сочувствием голову, – это тебе сохранить себя. Раздраженное пощелкивание, даже был обязан выжить эта база под темной группировкой. Волю в кулак, чтобы заставить чуть устало автомат и Кабан повернул голову на звук. Все, мол символ от поползновений врага паренька Гупи. Четверки были.
[URL="http://wbw123.qipim.ru/skachat-muziku-besplatno-i-bistro.html"]Скачать музыку бесплатно и быстро[/URL]
Post a Comment