Medal of Honor recipient: Honor is 'bittersweet'
The first living Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War says his receiving the prestigious award is bittersweet.
“It’s emotional and it’s great. All of this is great. But it does bring back a lot of memories of people that I would love to share this moment with. And I am just not going to have this opportunity because they are no longer with us,” U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta said during a teleconference Wednesday.
Giunta said the day his unit came under attack in Afghanistan was quiet and started out like any other day in Afghanistan.
“We are all soldiers and we are all out on a mission,” Giunta said.
Giunta's parents to CNN affiliate KWWL: Proud of 'child'
Giunta, 25, was a specialist serving with the Airborne 503 Infantry Regiment on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan when his unit was attacked on the night of October 25, 2007. According to U.S. Department of Defense documents seen by CNN, Giunta and his fellow soldiers were walking back to base along the top of a mountain ridge when the enemy attacked from their front and their left. Taliban fighters barraged the Americans with AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenades and Soviet-era large machine guns.
Giunta saw several of his fellow soldiers go down. He ran forward, throwing grenades and returning enemy fire to help one soldier who had been shot but was still fighting. Then he noticed one of the wounded soldiers was missing. Giunta ran over a hill where moments before Taliban fighters where shooting at him to find his wounded friend, Sgt. Josh Brennan. But now he was alone, out of sight of his fellow soldiers, in an area that the Taliban had controlled just moments before. Giunta saw two Taliban fighters dragging Brennan away. Giunta ran after them, killing one Taliban and wounding the other who ran away.
Giunta's quick response to the Taliban attack helped his unit repulse the enemy fighters before they could cause more casualties, the Defense Department documents note.
Giunta was shot twice in the incident, with one round hitting his body armor and the second destroying a weapon slung over his back. He was not seriously hurt.
More about Giunta and his actions
More about the unique history of the Medal of Honor
On a side note, I wish there was a little more consistancy in the award process. There are pleanty of living men that have done as much or more that haven't been recognized in the same manner. Stephen Bass rings a bell, even though he did get the Navy Cross, his action should be reviewed, along with many others. Not to deminsh what you done SSGT, I think u can even agree with what I'm saying. It's all part of the political push to find a poster child living MOH recipient. Regards
Tracy,this man did his duty of the finest caliber.I am retired military w.25 yrs of service.Yes you have the right to complain about the military.We take our orders from our Commander in Chief,and do our jobs willingly so ungrateful people like yourself and whine.Tell me,if you were in the USAF in a missile silo located in Montana,could you turn the launch enable key upon receipt of the EWO?This knowing your nation is being incinerated?Believe me,I could without hesitationto defend our dear Nation.
What a hero! Thanks CNN for sharing this awesome story of one of the many brave soliders we have. May God continue to bless him and his family as well as all the other soliders still serving.
Thank you soldiers sailors airmen and marines.May you all come home soon. ALL of you are heros no matter where you are or what your job is!
Thank you soldiers,
How many Civilians you need to kill to "WIN" a medal?
how terrible it is to see ,some people cant appreciate soldiers courage and sacrifice . We live in peace because many of them do their job correctly. He made his country and his parents proud!!!
No doubt today MIC project this as a heroic job and make American nation proud of staff Sgt for his achievements in the war at Afghan soil, but tomorrow when American will know reality behind this war, the real face of corporatocracy,and then see killing of millions of innocents in their this war for world Empire then there will be more to spit on the hypocrites and even this staff Sgt will feel ashamed of his use in such evil, anti human and anti American game in the name of war on terror, the way today all curse those who had waged war in Vietnam.
Here is another fine example of true heroism, and a finer example of Italian class, honor and altruism, characteristics that have helped made this country great. Great job Salvatore (Totò). Proud to be Italian.
@Tracy: We could assassinate the bloodthirsty dictators if we wanted to which is much cheaper in both dollars and human lives. I think our leaders are COWARDS and don't want to have targets on their backs. Much better to send you or I to kill for them.
Several problems with that silly theory, WhiteKong78. 1) Many politicians HAVE served in the military. 2) If you think it's easy to send men and women off to war knowing some won't come back, then you do it. Oh, but you would probably choose the Clintonian path of sanctions and lobbing a couple cruise missiles at our enemies without putting our troops in harm's way. 3) Our military is still all volunteer; don't pretend like you're about to be drafted. 4) The policy of assassinating heads of state has been discouraged because other nations might try to do the same to us.
Several problems with that silly theory, WhiteKong78. 1) Many politicians HAVE served in the military. 2) If you think it's easy to send men and women off to war knowing some won't come back, then you do it. Oh, but you would probably choose the Clintonian path of sanctions and lobbing a couple cruise missiles at our enemies without putting our troops in harm's way. 3) Our military is still all volunteer; don't pretend like you're about to be drafted. 4) The policy of assassinating heads of state has been discouraged because other nations might try to do the same to us.
1- many have served, but most of the ones in true power positions have gotten out of direct service (clinton, w bush for example)
2- she is agreeing with you 100%, reread. it makes you sound obtuse. also, bosnia 1999. clinton sent troops AND didnt start a war. i dont know whether u are agreeing with her or not, your tone says no, but your words say yes.
3- she wont be drafted, but u have to think more critically and abstractly, she will still have to pay taxes for it. there is still a burden on the civi's
4- look at the CIA and castro. also, its pretty obvious why we dont go assassinate kim jong il or ahmadinejad, it makes them martyrs, its that simple.
This soldier is a hero among heroes. Our men and women in uniform kick total ass.
I cannot say I have ever stared down an enemy weapon fired at me during my service years ago. I can tell you that live fire training was enough to put the fear of god in me. I can now appreciate the fact that anyone that has earned their combat citation is truly heroic. I don’t care what war or what situation. When the rounds are incoming and your life is on the line, there is no higher challenge to a human being. Debating what level of award is appropriate for Staff Sgt Giunta is irrelevant. I’m sure the others in his platoon know what he did, how he did it and are damn glad he did what he did. We should offer Staff Sgt Giunta our sincere thanks and congratulations for job well done as confirmed by the award of the CMH. We should also take the time to reflect on the sacrifices of all those men and women that have never come home for all the wars. Semper Fi
I didn't see the words "WIN" or "Congressional" in this story unless I missed something. Either way MOST of our men and women in the military are heroes. When somebody needs help they just don't walk by like some in our society. A pedestrian gets hit by a car on a busy street and nobody helps them. A soldier/marine is having bullets fly at them and they run towards it.
Thank you SSg Giunta for serving and protecting my freedom. God Bless You and God Bless America!
people like this are what we should hear about and celebrate every day, instead of the lindsay lohans and paris hiltons that clog up the news and w h o r e for our attention
Praise the Lord for His protection over this young valiant man.
SSG Giunta, if you ever pass through South Dakota, I've got a bear hug and a case of beer with your name on it. Bravo, Sir.
Win, earn, award.....call it what you like. This man is a hero and true patriot. Congratulations on the win, earn, award!!
I often wonder how I would perform if put to the ultimate test like Giunta was. Putting on the uniform and serving in a combat zone is one thing, but keeping it together with bullets flying and hitting you is whole 'nother level. I've got nothing but respect for this guy.
To the VERY FEW of you that have made comments like “it should have been a silver star at best” or “it’s expected of every soldier” stop being so bitter. Yes a soldier is expected to do more then most can do and things do happen all the time but they don’t get recognized for it. I’m pretty sure he didn’t go putting himself in for the award! Its normally do to lack of Leadership that good soldiers don’t get recognized for their bravery. And yes the DOD can be stingy on giving out awards. So finally someone has been recognized for their bravery and I for one am proud to have him representing me and my country. And I feel the same for every one serving today in any branch of service doing the job the selected to do. I served in the Army for 30 years and now its my time to say thank you, for if it wasn’t for all of you serving now I couldn’t be having the fun I am today… THANK YOU ALL.
And thank you all that served with me….
God bless this young man - a true hero - these are the people who should be earning $1 million a year - not some football player or basketball player -
You go Abby, lol.
Good Job, your medal outranks my Battle-E, I salute you!
Boycot, his medal outranks ALL medals, and even 5 star Generals have to salute him.
Sarge? And i do salute you, like the president must. You earned the CMH on behalf of all the heroes you served with, living and passed. Keep that in mind if you need a reason for it all or when someone asks you if your are a hero. GO HERD!!!!!!!!!!!!! btw.
Yes!
cnn in its infinite wisdom puts idiots with no experience in such things to write these articles. OH YEAH, SARGE? You know now you have to wear the medal with not only pride but with a commitment to live a life they compliments it, a task i am sure you are up to, YOURE 173RD AIRBORNE AFTER ALL!!!!!!!! , Simply they HERD, Simply the BEST. If you are ever near Bragg the 173rd chapter here will want to meet you. Just stay away from the 82nd airborne, (like in a Bridge to Far, they are good soldiers but you have to guard your wallet. TIEN BIEN TROOPER!!!!
LOL, Jim I'm assuming you're a Nam'er who served in Dien Ben Phu? My Dad was in the Brown Water Navy. Mucho respect for ALL who did time in the Nam. Even though you're Army, lol.
God Bless You, Soldier!
This write up sounds familiar to Cpl Dakota Myer's actions in Afghanistan. Not to detract from the SSGT, many many others do heroic things that go under noticed. Cpl Myer also deserves this highest honor.
Good story, Better Soldier. CNN, as a courtesy to all Hero's who have been given this honor, it is not a prize to be won. There are no "Medal of Honor Winners." This is not a prize. It is a badge of heroism. Please respect it as such.
Amen! from an old army brat -
Sky Soldiers baby!!! I was in that very unit in Vicenza, Italy albeit the 1st of the 508th Airborne. Red Devils! And to John Patriot, IMO and this is just my opinion, you have no opinion because you weren't there.
All i can say is WOW, a remarkable story, and a a remarkable brave soldier. THANKS FOR RISKING ALL FOR US!!!! CONGRATS
Thank you CNN
Just noticed the headline was changed to "Medal of Honor recipent..." Thanks CNN!
You don't win the Medal of Honor! Have some respect CNN. Next time have someone with some sense write a piece like this. Go Joe!
As a vet and ex paratrooper I feel proud of SSgt. Giunta, I salute you and all americans fighting to keep our country safe, thank you all, and God bless you.
He is a TRUE AMERICAN HERO. Our politicians should take a hard look at his ethics, maybe they will rub off.
won't happen unless we force all politicians to serve on the front lines....
how true the only front line many of them know is the front line to a political fund raiser, usually for themselves
I dunno...Randy "Duke" Cunningham and Charles Rangle were war heroes and look what's happened to them.
There is no contest for the Medal of Honor. Ergo, you don't 'win' it. You are showing
this soldier and the entire military no respect by saying he 'won' the Medal of Honor. This is generally known
in the journalism business but apparently not by the lazy, amateurish mediots at your failing
network. Also, for future reference, it is the Medal of Honor, not the Congressional Medal
of Honor. Check the AP Stylebook occasionally, if you have one.
@ Retired Army, I couldn't reply to your post of "Amen brother" but I just wanted to let you know it should be "Amen sister" 🙂
Good Point.... Just as many brave women serving as men and I should of known better...thanks for setting me right!
I agree with all the comments on CNN's poor choice (Win) of words.
It's also worth pointing out the ethnicity of this man's name to any of you AZ immigration law supporters.
As a soldier he is either a U.S. citizen or earning his path to citizenship so the AZ immigration law would not be applicable.
Congratulations Staff Sgt. Giunta.
I don't think this young man would have a problem showing his drivers license or military ID card to prove who he is. So your comment about the AZ law is just flat stupid!!!!
Why would you do that, Bob?
Because he or his family probably immigrated here from Mexico or Latin America, and he is risking his life for our country. Unfortunately, this country is full of relentless bigots.
Bob, stop speculating about things you don't know. It makes you look foolish.
@Jim, My point is that he has a Latin name, and is probably an immigrant – Moron.
No to take any side of a debate but to clarify Giunta is Italian
yes Bob U, I truly did take note of the fact that he is US Soldier and a damn fine man!!!
My ex father inlaw having landed @ Normandy Beach and walked all the way to Berlin as an inlisted man, gained my admiration,and utmost respect, as this young man also has. There are still brave, and upstanding men among us, but they seldom draw attention to themselves as this is not the way of a true HERO. God has blessed me by allowing me to know both of these men. Sgt.Major Harry C. Neill and Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta.
I, like others, came to this page only to object to the term "win" on the link. I'd already read this hero's story, and I'm pretty sure he'd object to the term "win" as well.
Thankyou, for your service.
You RECEIVE the Medal of Honor. You do not win or earn it. It's not a race or a merit badge.
Of course you earn it.
The Medal of Honor is not "WON". What is wrong with you reporters, can't you get it through your thick skulls that medals are not "won", they are awarded? Maybe if you actually had kin and friends in the service, instead of sniping at them from the rear echelon all the time, simple things like this would sink in.
This is only an opinion,
In my opinion, the Medal of Honor board who approved recommendation for this medal "over rated" the award.
I read the combat actions on SSG Giunta actions and this medal should have been a Silver Star at best.
I salute SSG Giunta but his actions in no way compare to Audie Murphy or SSG Macario Garcia MOH Award.
John Patriot
The award sounds appropriate to me. He was only a specialist when he earned it, so his actions were far above and beyond. The military is too stingy with awards anyway and has been ever since Grenada.
rank has nothing to do with earning the award. sure the military is stingy with the award,that why it is so precious.
In my opinion, this fits the bill very well. He was alone, with no protection, disregarded his own safety upon seeing a fellow brother-in-arms being dragged away, and single-handedly kept him from being made a Taliban puppet of utter and pathetic propaganda. He should be awarded TWICE for that!
Congratulations on a much deserved award! Our Nation owes you much, much more!
That comparison is totally different. Different time period and different war. That's like comparing a P-51 to a F-16.
You do not WIN a Medal of Honor. There is no contest! The Medal of Honor is EARNED with a heavy price.
You do not 'win' the Medal of Honor. The medal is awarded. Duty, Honor Country. Get it right CNN!
JB,most people today have no concept of the phase Duty,Honor,Country.
Guys:
Is so important the difference between "win" or "awarded"????
What difference makes an orthographic error? Is he a lesser recipient because of the typo? Or must we honor him and all the recipients for their heroism other that the word mistakes of those who report???
When we gonna stop seeing the "obvious" to see what is "important"????
Thank You Sgt. Giunta for your service, God Bless you and all the troops....
For those that are still serving and have its a Very Big difference, I do understand what your saying but I assume most making the comments have served and understand the vast difference. But you are right he is a true hero, even in his words...
I know (even I don't have the "honor" to serve (too old when I came to this country)) and everybody in uniform knows the difference.
It's not a race or a game. But for me is more important to commend the fact that he proudly represents the values of our Armed Forces, regardless of the mispelling.
I am proud of this young man for he represents all that America stands for and it's worth for.
There are many issues that can divide us, but this one MUSN"T be another one because of a typo.
Again, Thank you Sgt. Giunta for your courage and valor. God Bless you and all our servicemen and women and help them for a safe return home.!
Actually it is somewhat of a big deal that CNN and other news sources are putting "win" and "winner" as it makes it sound as if it was a race to the MoH and that the other Soldiers that were there did less than SSG Giunta and that they in comparison "lost". Just this vet's two cents on the "winner/recipent" wording.
Amen brother
Amen! It is not a Game.. where the winner gets a medal.. it is spilling blood so that others might be free...
For those of you that have the honor to serve there is no need of explanation.
Don't make a big issue about this.
This is about being grateful and honored for the gallantry and heroism of one of our finest young men that are proudly serving overseas.
Just honor them...
Thank You
yes Herman, it's important words matter.
CNN this is not an award you can win. Change this now.
true story like jessica ????
Not everything is make believe like in your little fantasy world. Maybe you should try it sometime, have a go at a deployment and I am sure you would keep your thoughts to yourself.
Alex: you're a jerk. You probably haven't even been the miliary must less been under fire.
U earn it. Not win it. Get it right
Whoever at CNN called this a "win" should have to run stairs until they puke.
Blood.
At least twice.
thank you for your service.
Congratulations! RIP your comrades in arms that are no longer with us.
CNN – you don't "win" a Medal of Honor, you earn it.
CNN, please quit saying that this soldier WON this medal. He did not. It was AWARDED to him. Saying that he won it gives it the connotation that the medal is some sort of prize. It is not.
Please change the link on the main page. Calling it a "win" is ridiculous; use "award" instead.
Damn! People! He earned the Medal! And i wish more of our trdied were awarded this prestigous honor...
I can tell you couch warriors this... War is not like the damn videogames you sit around and play... the price that we pay so YOU can do what you want to ... is huge.... I dont sleep well.. i dream of the things that ive seen.. I remember the face of those ive killed or watched die... it is NOT A GAME!!!!
how truely sad that many stories will never be heard and that many acts of heroism will never be known,these are the front line fighters of our freedom and this should never be taken for granted nor with any disrespect.these man and woman that serve in the armed forces allow us to enjoy a freedom.you have earned your right to lash out at those that are ignorant, but keep in your heart the strength to prevail another day for those that have fallen and those you protected
You don't "win" the Medal of Honor.
Amen to that! The Medal of Honor is earned many times over in blood, misery, tragedy, tears, bravery and triumph over evil.
Congratulations to ALL the men and women who serve the US in uniform; in my opinion, they all qualify for the Medal of Honor.
Winning is the term that has always been used to this, it doesn't matter if it sounds right or not, its just the way its described.
Anyway congratulations to SSG Giunta, he sounds like a real hero.
I suppose we'll going to be hearing all this right-wing bla-bla-bla for a while.It's already old.
The terrorist supporting Pakis are easy to spot–they don't know how to punctuate properly and hide behind numerous handles.
You are 1000% right. This young hero was/is incredible. If I lived in his parent's neighborhood, his father would never have to buy another beer. It would be an honor to treat someone who brought up a man like this.
this is true buyt what is your point, hopefully just correcting the propper term to earned and not diminishing his actions
A real Hero
For the record you dont win medals you earn them and they must be awarded by command. The Medal Of Honor is the highest award and not given lightly. Most are awarded to the family of a hero. It's about time one was awarded in this war. There are many Heroes and they arise when the situation dictates. No one plans to get the Medal of Honor! It happens when a GI goes way above the call of duty and results in saving many lives or the unselfish act of risking life and limbs to aide your comrads. Audie Murphie is the most decorated GI in American Military and was an accomplished Holly Wood Actor after WWII. I spent 40 years in the Military and awarded Bronze Star, most Military members honestly dont think they deserve the awards but when times get difficult people areis to the occasion and go above and beyond mostly adrenalin. Again the US is full of heroes that protect the country daily.
I believe it was Chesty Puller who was the most decorated Marine in US history. Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier in WW2, not the same thing but I get your point and understand how you could make that mistake. Chesty was just around a heck of a lot longer and fought in many, many more engagements "Good night, Chesty Puller, wherever you are!"
Audie Murphy is the most decorated soldier in American history, Chesty Puller is the most decorated Marine. No comparison is required, Audie Murphy is above and beyond anyone who's ever served...