Medal of Honor Nomination for Living Soldier

[Guy Incognito]

The Pentagon has not released the nominee's name while the award is under consideration, but the Post reports that he ran through a wall of enemy fire in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley, saving the lives of several comrades. Military officials told Post reporters Greg Jaffe and Craig Whitlock that even the soldier's own family does not know how far his nomination has gone: all the way to the White House (which must review the nomination).

The article is here. Sounds pretty heroic, can't wait until they release this guy's name.

 

[Tedminator]

US President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta of the US Army November 16, 2010 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Giunta is receiving the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions during combat in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan in October 2007.

Oooodang, lookit all those awards. from left to right..

Italian Parachutist Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
Medal of Honor
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal w/ one oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ one campaign star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Service Medal (SFOR)
Army Presidential Unit Citation w/ two oak leaf clusters
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ one oak leaf cluster
Basic Parachutist Insignia
Expert marksmanship badge for rifle



:clap:well done! now officers get to salute you, SSgt Giunta.

http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/giunta/battlescape.html

 

[Tedminator]

oh and fyi, someone has been impersonating SSG Giunta on Twitter since mid September. That ain't him.
@USARMY, which is the Army's official Twitter account, has already confirmed that the account named @salvatoregiunta is a fake..

Twitter / U.S. Army: Please note the @Salvatore ...

 

[Councilman]

This is great American and I Salute him. :ind:

Now the question becomes who will they get to play SSG Giunta in the MOVIE, and will it be a made for TV movie, a feature, or and HBO type movie.

When I read an account of heroism such as this I have such pride in these young people Americans who serve, then I start to get pissed all over again at the "I hate America," "Blame America First," crowd.

I think we should just call them "FIRSTERS" from now on.

I believe that if SSG Giunta wants he can make a fortune for the movie rights but for now he seems to be the kind of Man to say no thanks, but I would advise him to take the money and get as much as he can and give it to the families of the fallen brothers who died that day.

Just a thought. It sure is a good feeling to know people like this are still around when so many young people are into that dumb ass hip hop crap, drugs, and gangs.

Again I salute SSG Giunta. SALUTE :2usflag:

 

[Your Star]

Congrats to this man. He is a true hero.

 

[Orion]

Must feel pretty amazing to have the President himself put a medal on you.

 

[Goshin]

One of the things that has always amazed me, is that most of the (few) living recipients of the MoH usually assert that they don't feel they deserve the medal. (It is often awarded posthumously.) The MoH is held in such high respect by the folks of the Armed Forces that living awardees have been known to resist being awarded it.

Living and still-serving MoH holders are fairly rare. This SSgt will be a walking legend.

 

[Heavy Duty]

oh and fyi, someone has been impersonating SSG Giunta on Twitter since mid September. That ain't him.
@USARMY, which is the Army's official Twitter account, has already confirmed that the account named @salvatoregiunta is a fake..

Twitter / U.S. Army: Please note the @Salvatore ...

I thought there were laws to protect against that. I hope they catch the scumbag whom is a fraud trying to be half the great American and HERO this soldier really is.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Must feel pretty amazing to have the President himself put a medal on you.

If I was ever put in the same situation, Obama would be the last person I would want to place this medal around my neck. My father whom was awarded the Navy Cross and Silver Star in Vietnam rather than a man whom thinks America should be ashamed for her greatness.

 

[WhyteRash]

me personally.. id be honored to shake his hand and buy him a beer..

 

[Infinite Chaos]

If I was ever put in the same situation, Obama would be the last person I would want to place this medal around my neck.

If US soldiers are asked to swear an oath of allegiance at enlistment then I strongly suggest you never sign up in case the rest of the population elects any President you would refuse to honour.

I have no idea whether your soldiers would keep your oaths but I always felt pretty damn serious about mine to the Queen when I signed up. It never made me into a "Royalist" but the oath meant something deep that went beyond any feelings about the Queen or any of her offspring who would inherit my oath if she died.

 

[Heavy Duty]

If US soldiers are asked to swear an oath of allegiance at enlistment then I strongly suggest you never sign up in case the rest of the population elects any President you would refuse to honour.

I have no idea whether your soldiers would keep your oaths but I always felt pretty damn serious about mine to the Queen when I signed up. It never made me into a "Royalist" but the oath meant something deep that went beyond any feelings about the Queen or any of her offspring who would inherit my oath if she died.

Dude I did my 20 plus years in the Army so I believe I know how the enlistment process works.

I dont believe one person, Queen or not, should be swore a oath to. I swore an oath to the United States of America, not Obama, not the queen nor any other swinging dick. I followed the orders of my Commander in Chief and it should in the hell wasn't Obama. If it was, I would have retired like I did in 2004.

 

[Taboon]

If I was ever put in the same situation, Obama would be the last person I would want to place this medal around my neck. My father whom was awarded the Navy Cross and Silver Star in Vietnam rather than a man whom thinks America should be ashamed for her greatness.

Oh, what a crock of ****, seriously.

 

[Whovian]

One of the things that has always amazed me, is that most of the (few) living recipients of the MoH usually assert that they don't feel they deserve the medal. (It is often awarded posthumously.) The MoH is held in such high respect by the folks of the Armed Forces that living awardees have been known to resist being awarded it.

Living and still-serving MoH holders are fairly rare. This SSgt will be a walking legend.

I caught part of an interview with him on TV. They woman asked him 'What kind of soldier are you?' He replied, 'I'm ok. Average. Nothing special', or words to that effect.

I pulled my 10 year old away from his Nintendo DS for a few minutes to watch and discuss this hero.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

One of the things that has always amazed me, is that most of the (few) living recipients of the MoH usually assert that they don't feel they deserve the medal. (It is often awarded posthumously.) The MoH is held in such high respect by the folks of the Armed Forces that living awardees have been known to resist being awarded it.

It's kinda like that with all medals, no?

Gotta be surreal with an MoH....

Living and still-serving MoH holders are fairly rare. This SSgt will be a walking legend.

Yeah he will, he's set. Good for him. :thumbs:

 

[Tedminator]

hear the story from the men involved..


This link has a detailed overview of the ambush.. http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/giunta/battlescape.html

 

[Tedminator]

Originally Posted by Goshin
One of the things that has always amazed me, is that most of the (few) living recipients of the MoH usually assert that they don't feel they deserve the medal. (It is often awarded posthumously.) The MoH is held in such high respect by the folks of the Armed Forces that living awardees have been known to resist being awarded it.

It's kinda like that with all medals, no?
Gotta be surreal with an MoH....

Symptom of PTSD, survivor guilt.. often experienced by those who have survived when others died. The feelings may be worsened if those killed are under your direct command, or killed trying to rescuing you, or if you were unable to save the person that was killed. It's one of the worse feelings ever.. to lose someone you are responsible for.

You can see it in SSG Giunta's eyes and hear it in his voice and the things he says (check vid above time marker 11:50).

 

[bicycleman]

This is a question for anybody out there. What constitutes the sacrifices to win either a Bronze Star, Silver Star, or Congressional Medal of Honor? Do they overlap, sometimes in what is done, or do they depend on the whim of whoever writes the citation at the time? Did the Bronze Star or Silver Star soldier do more or less than the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient?

 

[Tedminator]

WH ceremony..

 

[Heavy Duty]

Oh, what a crock of ****, seriously.

Nope not at all. I would take no medal from Obama. The medals I earned while in was awarded to me by my CO, Batt Commander and once by the Div Commander. If Obama was pinning me, I would go to sick call rather to attend the ceremony.

 

[digsbe]

Nope not at all. I would take no medal from Obama. The medals I earned while in was awarded to me by my CO, Batt Commander and once by the Div Commander. If Obama was pinning me, I would go to sick call rather to attend the ceremony.

Why? If you were receiving the highest military honor you would turn it down because you disagree politically with your commander and chief?

 

[Erod]

US President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta of the US Army November 16, 2010 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Giunta is receiving the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions during combat in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan in October 2007.

What an incredible contradiction this photo represents.

Well done, Staff Sergeant. The finest example imagineable of American exceptionalism, and real courage and humility. Great people don't have to tell you how great they are. Obama could learn a thing or a hundred from this guy.

 

[Taboon]

Nope not at all. I would take no medal from Obama. The medals I earned while in was awarded to me by my CO, Batt Commander and once by the Div Commander. If Obama was pinning me, I would go to sick call rather to attend the ceremony.

Honestly, I think that's really sad. That's why I said it was a crock of ****, not that I didn't believe you. Actually, I think it's more or less dispicable.

 

[Goshin]

Nope not at all. I would take no medal from Obama. The medals I earned while in was awarded to me by my CO, Batt Commander and once by the Div Commander. If Obama was pinning me, I would go to sick call rather to attend the ceremony.

If that's how you feel about it, that's how you feel.
Really though... and bear in mind I am no fan of Obama by any means... I think it is sad that you chose to sully a thread about a living soldier receiving the MoH with raw partisanship. Bash Obama to your heart's content in other threads, but in my opinion chosing to do so in this thread was in very poor taste.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Honestly, I think that's really sad. That's why I said it was a crock of ****, not that I didn't believe you. Actually, I think it's more or less dispicable.

Why because I believe that Obama despises this country and the greatest it stands for. He is out there making excuses to the world for how America became great. The military is a large part of why this country has achieved her greatest. Thus I believe Obama despises the very reason I joined the military to serve my country. He serves it for the greater good of Obama and his party. Most vets served her for the greater good of all Americans.