First Medal of Honor for a living Afghan war vet

Yahoo / AP ^ | Sept 10, 2010 | Michael Crumb

[driftdiver]

DES MOINES, Iowa – A 25-year-old soldier from Iowa who exposed himself to enemy gunfire to try to save two fellow soldiers will become the first living service member from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to receive the Medal of Honor, the White House announced Friday.

President Barack Obama phoned Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, on Thursday at the base in Italy where he's stationed to tell him he'd be receiving the nation's highest military honor, Giunta's father told The Associated Press. He will become the eighth service member to receive the Medal of Honor during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The seven previous medals were awarded posthumously.

"It's bittersweet for us," said Steven Giunta, of Hiawatha. "We're very proud of Sal. We can't mention that enough, but in this event, two other soldiers were killed and that weighs heavy on us. You get very happy and very proud and then you start dealing with the loss as well. You can't have one without the other."

[driftdiver]

Giunta went above and beyond the call of duty when he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a fellow soldier back to cover. He engaged the enemy again when he saw two insurgents carrying away a wounded soldier, 22-year-old Sgt. Joshua C. Brennan, of McFarland, Wis. Giunta killed one insurgent and wounded the other before tending to Brennan, who died the next day.

[WOBBLY BOB]

173 ABN ping

[nuconvert]

[Squantos]

No love greater...... God bless this soldier.

[nuconvert]

This belongs in Frontpage News not Chat

[driftdiver]

Thanks

[FlingWingFlyer]

There are no real American heroes in Washington D.C. They or their families only go there to pick up the Medal of Honor and then they leave.

[Liberty1970]

God bless him.

[driftdiver]

Amazing how this story was released late on a Friday. Can’t have anything to make America proud released in public can ya.

[Stayfrosty]

He’s from the best state in the union!

[nuconvert]

Actually, I think it was released yesterday. Still, not much publicity

[nuconvert]

Sorry, wrong thread. Thought you were referring to the story on the movie Chosin.

[centurion316]

Announced today by the White House and previously reported on FR here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2586737/posts

The more posts on this, the better.

[Ronbo1948]

HERO! Hand Salute!

[PalmettoMason]

Too bad the medal will have been touched by Obama’s unworthy hands before he gets it.

[Enten]

Great story! Warms my heart.......I’m proud of him and his family.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks driftdiver.

President Barack Obama phoned Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, on Thursday at the base in Italy...He will become the eighth service member to receive the Medal of Honor during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The seven previous medals were awarded posthumously.

[Terrence DoGood]

This appeared front page in the Stars and Stripes here in Afghanistan. I’m proud of him and and everyone here serving.