WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will award the first Medal of Honor to go to a living service member who fought in the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta served as a rifle team leader during combat operations in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. The White House says Giunta went beyond the call of duty during an October 2007 attack when he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a comrade back to cover. When he later noticed two insurgents carrying away another fellow solider, Giunta engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other before providing medical aid to the wounded U.S. soldier.
Obama spoke with Giunta Thursday to inform him he would receive the nation’s highest military honor.
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Comments (69)
IhatewhenIwakeupandObummerisstillPOTUS
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 4:08pmQuestion, is comrade the word used by the POTUS in the WH? If it is, he deserves credit for being transparent about using language so commonplace in his communist ideology.
Report Post »IhatewhenIwakeupandObummerisstillPOTUS
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 4:03pmQuestion, is comrade the word the POTUS in the WH used? If it is, he should get credit for being transparent about his cummunist ideology.
Report Post »Hillbillybone
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 3:43pmSSgt Giunta, Kudos to you, this is an earned medal, and do not allow who is pinning it on tarnish what you accomplished. There are troops that owe their lives to you, and not very many folks around this country can say they risked their life to save others.
Having retired in 2004, and served with MANY Heros who are still serving, some are retiring these days, and they to regret having the Current CINC’s name on their Documents.
GOD Bless our troops, and GOD Bless America!
Report Post »brian morrison
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 3:30pmAny president will take this honor and exploit it for their own gain, this guy is no different. If G.W. was still around, that idiot would do the samething, we just have a new idiot taking his place in the spotlight.
Report Post »This soldier is apart of the 173rd Airborne, I supported this Brigade in Afghanistan back in 05-06. They are an outstanding, highly motivated and honorable group and it’s great to see this soldier and this unit bestowed this nations highest award. GOOD JOB BOYS!
Bodysnatcher
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 3:29pmI am glad he made it home. I’ve got to bury another one on Saturday.
Report Post »nono524
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 2:19pmThe Medal speaks for itself.
Report Post »AsianForTeaPartyConservative
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:47pmWhen Obama say Islam is peaceful religion, how do we know he is telling us the truth. We know the truth, just as Jesus said, “it is by their fruit.”
Report Post »alkmetro
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:36pmThis youg man deserves this honor..I am a Marine mom..I understand, just wish he could have received it from a deserving leader. Obama isn‘t qualified to carry this man’s dirty laundry!
Report Post »analyzer
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:27pmI am so sorry this honorable man is being given the medal by this president. The soldier deserves to the medal given to him by a man who loves his country first, not by a man that loves himself first.
Report Post »jungatheart
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:13pmI wonder if the Secret Service will object to the wheelbarrow the SGT uses to carry his balls around.
Report Post »CCulotta
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:19pmhahaha
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:26pmill get one handle
Report Post »Lance Uppercut37
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:11pmWow. Super Badass.
Report Post »PatriotVET
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:10pmOf course he (Obama) will do this…election time for his cronies. They are realizing quickly just how much they might need all the votes they can get and therefore have decided to bring in the military voters even after demonizing them for years.
Report Post »My advice…don’t accept the medal from Obama. During the Clinton years, everyone one I know who retired from the military refused the “Official Presidential Retirement” certificate. This military member can refuse to have it presented in public and keep it very private. The decision is entirely his on the setup of the ceremony or to even have one…except from pressure from the Chain of Command and the “implied” impact to his career for refusing it.
yankee03
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 2:38pmNot directed at you, I just clicked here as I was reading. It doesnt matter who the POTUS is when a deserving Servicemember recives the nations highest honor. Yes, more should have (just read the few DSC’s and SS awarded this confict to see that), but this presentation transends any POTUS-it will be as if he is not in the room. The POTUS has no say, he doesnt award it, he just gets the benefit of being the presenter. Maybe for BO this is enough for him to see and admit to himself that he has no idea about the caliber of the kids serving today-that all that they want is the freedoms guarunteed in the Constitution and have no problem sacrificing so that others may enjoy some of the same freedom.
Report Post »BO-Can you imagine seeing your buddy dragged away, and to have presense of mind to aim?? Oh there are no telepromters to promnt you, you have to pull that from the heart.
My hat goes off to this SGT, may it inspire more folks to give it there all, despite the circumstances. eery scholl kid should spend the day going over this.
CCulotta
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:59pmCome on Blaze staff. If you are going to describe the actions of a soldier receiving the Medal of Honor you should need more than a paragraph. In my opinion this story should be updated with a more in depth description of SSG Giunta’s actions.
Report Post »CJJAKENS
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:51pmHe by all means desearves this medal, he has earned it by every right. It is a shame though that he is the first to receive the medal of honor and live in those two wars. Sure there are other Marines, and Slodiers have done as much, but did not receive the recognition because they lived. I hope that this breaks the mold. Even under Bush the Medal of Honor was given very rarely. I’m not saying give awards out like candy thats not what they are for, and the awards system is broken anyway, but maybe this will help correct it.
Report Post »Large Eagle
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:41pmVets rock – No matter who the commander and chief is. GOD bless you Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta and your family. I love the way GOD works – The Dems are in such harms way this November BO is forced to recognize the people who really deserve it in these trying times. BUT remember he just appointed a Carp Czar who grosses 5 times what this soldier makes. Bitter sweet – Remember he is also the commander and chief that voiced that VETS should pay for their own health care because we didn’t force them to go while reminding us that it is all volunteer Armed Forces. – Go figure
Where that beauty proudly Sgt. Guinta
Army 69-70
Report Post »RayGone
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:41pmAs usual, America Hating BeckTalibans at it again…
Trying to belittle our own military & Commander-In-Chief…
Will these Rightwingers ever stop hating our OWN Country????
M31Sailor
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:52pmhey stunad
Report Post »yours seems to be the only post that does not thank this hero
alycoh
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:57pmIf you don‘t like what’s being said in this web site, you are given permission to stop participating.
Report Post »Nobody invited you!!
alkmetro
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:37pmAmerica is still free, so you are welcome to leave………….now
Report Post »Jeff in Miami
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 3:02pmNo one hates our country, we do question our current leadership (or is that country organizer). Pelosi and Hillary are both on the record as saying it was good to question our leadership. Of course when they said it they were talking about President Bush, but we heard it then and now they can hear it back.
Report Post »V-Forge
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 3:48pmHmm. back out from under your bridge again i see. It‘s The nutless one’s job to hand these out. I’m not sure of the actual process of decision. The man certainly deserves the honor. My only regret is that one of the animals he only wounded. He was there and i was not so i assume it was the best decision. We love the soldiers here. When you put a gun in a mans hands and send him to war you give them the right to make decisions like that. liberals on the other hand see a golden opportunity to second guess every action they take to push an agenda. The same agenda your trolling under this topic hopes to accomplish.I wish i was half the man this gentleman is but i‘m sure i’m twice the American next to any liberal.
Report Post »marlaco
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 5:58pmHey Raygone….hurry on home, your mommy’s got your milk and cookies waiting.
Report Post »Those that love this current administration are the ones who hate America and don’t mind see her destroyed.
Army15T
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 10:43pmRay, I fail to see how this post is “Hating America” Pretty much every post, including my own) both congratulate and thank the NCO at the heart of the story and feel that a man who spent a large portion of his life outside of this country and never served a day in his life to her defense is simply undeserving of bestowing this huge HONOR on this young man who literally put his life on the line more than ocne to ensure his Soldiers and friends came home to thier families. What part about that is “Hating America”? You can reply to my post after going into harm’s way yourself. As my dad taught me,”Put your money where your mouth is.”
Report Post »NoMayo
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:41pmHe’ll need a vacation after handing out the award. Perhaps the southern coast of France to mix things up a little.
Report Post »Army15T
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 10:36pmIf we‘re lucky he’ll stay there. haha (As much as I joke I disagree with 99.9% of his policies, but God Bless POTUS. Now get out.)
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:35pmTruly a better man than I, Good job, dogface! Respectfully, from a jarhead!
Report Post »ironcowboy
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:33pmOH CR@P he is white man! This must be racist! Don’t blacks also deserve the Medal of Honor?
ProudOkie
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:32pmGlad he made it home safe!
Report Post »God bless our Soldiers and their families!
M31Sailor
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:27pmGod bless you Staff Sgt
What a contrast to the Fake Vietnam Vet (ATTY GEN of CT Blumenthal) and John F Kerry (the three Purple Heart’s in 90 days wonder)
Bob P thanks for your service
Report Post »Flagwaver
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:24pmThat man does deserve the Medal. I’ve read the report, both classified and declassified, about what happened and these few lines do not do it justice. My prayers are with all of our service members. God Bless you all!
Report Post »missmarie
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:06pmGod Bless all our service men and women and our veterans. God Bless their families. Were it not for their bravery, courage, and sacrifice, my life would not be free. I sincerely appreciate all they do for me and my country. Thank you.
Report Post »carol m
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:23pmOh is Obama actually gonna lower himself to do this trivial thing for the country. Staff Sgt. Giunta God Bless you! , but i guess you would tell me you were just doing your job. Obama should not be allowed to give this medal out, it should be given out by someone who actually appreciates what this kid did.
Report Post »Jeff in Miami
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 3:00pmI would like to see how they will get the Teleprompter to move with him so he doesn’t mess up his lines. Will he say Corpsmen this time or correctly pronounce the word?
Report Post »Army15T
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 10:38pmJeff, I hadnt heard this one, plz enlighten me…so I can repost it and laugh my ass off.
Report Post »kobuk
Posted on September 11, 2010 at 8:20amalso it should be given by someons who served his country in the military!
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:21pmwhile we heartily praise SSgt Giunta, GOD BLESS THIS BRAVE SOLDIER,
obama’s decision to awared A Single Medal (instead of the untold countless others that should be awarded TOO) can only be seen as a little dogbone thrown to America while obama spins the islamization of this nation.
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:21pmThe soldier deserves it but if I were him I would want to recieve it from someone else.
Report Post »idiots4obama
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 12:56pmI totally agree! It sucks that Obama giving it to him will almost kind of tarnish it.
SheriS
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 1:07pmThis will give POTUS the chance to get on TV again as he will want all the opposition he is standing up for our military! My heart goes out to the very brave soldier as he derserves the medal and honor, but will be used by POTUS for “his” advantage!
Robdog1
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 3:30pmYou are missing the point. The medal of honor is for the individual, not a reflection of the one bestowing it.
Report Post »H2OBoardem
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 4:38pmThe Dog Robber is right. This has absolutely nothing to do with the one making the presentation – even he can’t tarnish this award. It isn’t like being given the Nobel Prize for doing nothing. This is something every Amercian should be proud of.
Report Post »blacktree
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 4:48pmAs a former member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, that served in Vietnam, I’m very proud to see the unit of the Sargeant. It’s really great to see the tradition of this unit continuing. Proportionally, this small Brigade was the most decorated during Vietnam. Thank you Sarge, for your Service.
I’m sad to say that our current Commander In Chief, doesn’t deserve the Honor of sharing the podium with you!
ilikai
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 5:47pmTotally agree with you! Tarnishes the medal with him presenting it.
hifi74
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 7:16pmI have to say I’m with everyone else on this one. The medal is well deserved, but being presented by Obama just kind of cheapens it.
Army15T
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 10:33pmI agree. I dont want to diminish what this man did, it truly is deserving. Whats sad is that many Service Members have done incredibley heroic things in both theatres. Somehow the medal has become near impossible to get unless you died in the process. As a Veteran and Former NCO, Soldier to Soldier, Congratulations, SSG Giunta, job very well done. You deserve it! And I know you will say “I did what had to be done” But thats precisely why you deserve it.
Report Post »tomcucolo
Posted on September 11, 2010 at 9:19amNot a fan of Obama, heck cant wait to vote the guy out in 2012. That said he is the president and the commander in chief. It is a honor to meet a president and to have the highest military honor bestowed on the soldier.
Report Post »bglaidlaw
Posted on September 11, 2010 at 1:39pmWhy has it taken 3 years to do this? That kind of action should be recognized much sooner. I get the impression his award is being cheapened by politics.
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