Millions of Americans over the centuries since our nation’s founding have served in our military forces. Most have performed capably and honorably. Many have been wounded in combat. Some have made the supreme sacrifice by dying for our country.
And a very few have acted with such courage and selflessness in battle that they have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
The latest recipient of the Medal of Honor is 25-year-old Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, of Hiawatha, Iowa. He was honored for valiant service in Afghanistan.
But unlike the seven previous recipients for combat in Iraq or Afghanistan, Giunta fortunately survived the harrowing events that led to his being awarded the United States’ highest military honor – and he continues to serve today.
Now based in Vicenza, Italy, Giunta got a call recently from President Barack Obama, notifying him of the honor.
But instead of basking in the spotlight, Giunta showered praise on his fellow soldiers, declaring that the honor rightly belonged not only to him but to the more than one dozen troops involved in the incident on which the award was based.
Giunta’s actions in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan were nothing short of heroic. A fellow soldier was exposed to enemy fire. Taking no thought for his personal safety, Giunta rushed forward to pull the soldier back to cover. He also sprang into action when he saw two enemy insurgents seize a wounded U.S. soldier and start carrying him away. Giunta engaged the enemies in combat, killing one and wounding the other, and rescued his fellow soldier from capture.
“His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American soldier from enemy hands,” the White House stated.
We gratefully acknowledge Giunta’s brave service to our country, and the service of the many other Americans who risk their lives to defend America.