Salvatore (“Sal”) Augustine Giunta is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is the oldest of three children and was instilled with the spirit of Patriotism by his parents, Steven and Rosemary.

His childhood was full of the typical adventures, and in high school, his parents said he was more interested in “socializing and goofing off” than in grades.

He was a junior at Kennedy High School when our nation suffered the 9/11 Islamist attack. His mother recalls he instinctually checked on the family and wanted everyone together, and she told him, “If the world falls part, I guess I can count on you.”

At age 17, working a job at a fast food outlet, like many young Americans after the 9/11 attack, he decided to enlist in the Army — the first in his family to serve in the Armed Forces since his grandparents emigrated from Italy. He completed basic training and infantry school at Fort Benning, Georgia.

He deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and did a 12-month tour starting in March 2005. During that deployment, he was shot and witnessed four of his friends killed by an IED.

His second tour in Afghanistan began in May 2007 and extended to 14 months.

In October 2007, Sal was stationed at Firebase Vegas in the Korengal Valley close to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border — an area soldiers nicknamed the Valley of Death. In late October, his company began Operation Rock Avalanche, a six-day mission to root out Taliban insurgents in the region. The first casualty of that mission was SSG Larry Rougle, KIA on October 23. Two days later, his company commander, CPT Dan Kearney, sent 2nd and 3rd Platoon back to recover equipment that village elders had collected after Rougle was killed.

Then-22-year-old Sal Giunta was B Company, 1st Platoon’s rifle team leader, and his team was tasked with overwatch and enemy interdiction from a nearby ridge. On a night patrol on October 25, Giunta and his platoon were working their way back to Combat Outpost Vimoto when they were ambushed by Taliban fighters. The insurgents were heavily armed with AK-47s, 10 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and four belt-fed PKM machine guns.

Sal recalled: “There were more bullets in the air than stars in the sky. A wall of bullets at everyone at the same time with one crack and then a million other cracks afterwards. They’re above you, in front of you, behind you, below you. They’re hitting in the dirt early. They’re going over your head. Just all over the place. They were close — as close as I’ve ever seen.”

For his actions on that deadly night, he would be nominated for a Medal of Honor by his commanding officer. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in August 2009 and, on approval by the Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2010, becoming the first living Medal of Honor recipient in nearly 40 years.

SPC Giunta’s actions under intense fire that night, to rescue and protect his brothers at arms, are described in his Medal of Honor citation:

Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, on October 25, 2007. While conducting a patrol as team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, Specialist Giunta and his team were navigating through harsh terrain when they were ambushed by a well-armed and well-coordinated insurgent force. While under heavy enemy fire, Specialist Giunta immediately sprinted towards cover and engaged the enemy. Seeing that his squad leader had fallen and believing that he had been injured, Specialist Giunta exposed himself to withering enemy fire and raced towards his squad leader, helped him to cover, and administered medical aid. While administering first aid, enemy fire struck Specialist Giunta’s body armor and his secondary weapon.

His citation continues:

Without regard to the ongoing fire, Specialist Giunta engaged the enemy before prepping and throwing grenades, using the explosions for cover in order to conceal his position. Attempting to reach additional wounded fellow soldiers who were separated from the squad, Specialist Giunta and his team encountered a barrage of enemy fire that forced them to the ground. The team continued forward and upon reaching the wounded soldiers, Specialist Giunta realized that another soldier was still separated from the element. Specialist Giunta then advanced forward on his own initiative. As he crested the top of a hill, he observed two insurgents carrying away an American soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other. Upon reaching the wounded soldier, he began to provide medical aid, as his squad caught up and provided security. Specialist Giunta’s unwavering courage, selflessness, and decisive 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 the enemy.

In conclusion, “Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, and the United States Army.”

His Medal was presented by Barack Obama, and Sal recalls, “I had my wife by my side. She was holding my hand. When she heard me say, ‘Mr. President,’ she gave me a squeeze.”

Not sure what Sal contemplated saying to Obama before Jennifer gently reminded him it was not the right time, but I bet it would have been memorable!

Of his actions, in typical humility honoring his fellow recipients, Sal says: “This was a situation we were put into. By no means did I do anything that everyone else wouldn’t have done. There wasn’t a whole lot of thinking I needed to do. Looking at it like a picture, I’m just another brushstroke in the picture. … I didn’t run up to do anything heroic. Everybody’s been shot at, and I might as well run forward. … This respect that people are giving to me? This was one moment. In my battalion, I am mediocre at best. This shows how great the rest of them are. If I’m a hero, then every man that stands ‘round me, every woman in the military, everyone who goes into the unknown is a hero.”

He adds, “The medal [Medal of Honor] should go to the guy on the right of me and the guy on the left of me. We were all in the fight.” Having spent some time with Sal, his humility, as with other recipients, shines.

I have also heard many recipients observe Sal’s experience about the difficulty of wearing a Medal of Honor: “It was one of the worst days of my life, and when I revisit it, it kind of guts me a little bit more every time. It’s a huge honor … but it does bring back memories of all the people I’d love to share this moment with who are no longer with us.”

He would later give his Medal to his 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, honoring those with whom he served. Sal said of them: “I’m not here because I’m a great soldier; I’m here because I served with great soldiers.”

It should be noted that Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom suffered many wounds, some seen and some unseen, but the last devastating wound they suffered was Joe Biden’s disgraceful and deadly surrender and retreat from Afghanistan.

SSG Salvatore Giunta: Your example of valor — a humble American Patriot defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty, and in disregard for the peril to your own life — is eternal.

“Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Live your life worthy of his sacrifice.

(Read more Profiles of Valor here.)

Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate -— 1776

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