Posted on 11/17/2010 4:52:03 AM PST by Pan_Yan
On Oct. 25, 2007, Spc. Giunta’s platoon was conducting a movement to contact to interdict enemy forces on the Gatigal Spur, in order to provide over watch for 2nd and 3rd platoon’s exfil back to Combat Outpost Vimot, and the Korengal Outpost. While conducting their exfil from the platoon’s blocking position, Spc. Giunta’s platoon was ambushed by 10 to 15 enemy personnel who utilized an “L” shaped, near ambush that was within 10 meters of the platoon’s main body. The enemy fired 10 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and three PKMs (machine guns) from the apex of the ambush and additional AK-47s from throughout the ambush line.
The enemy initiated the contact with an RPG and a burst of PKM (fire), which immediately hit and wounded two members of the lead team, Sgt. Brennan and Spc. Eckrode. Another RPG in the initial volley hit extremely close to Spc. Giunta’s position. While Staff Sgt. Gallardo moved back to his Bravo Team to get situation reports, Spc. Giunta provided covering fire by leading his team in suppressing enemy positions, assigning sectors of fire and commanding his M-203 gunner to engage close targets. While advancing toward Spc. Giunta’s team, Staff Sgt. Gallardo was struck in the helmet by an AK-47 round, which caused him to fall to the ground. Despite being under heavy fire by PKM, RPG, and small arms, Spc. Giunta immediately left his covered position in order to render aid to his squad leader. As he moved to provide assistance, Spc. Giunta was struck by two bullets; one of which impacted his chest area but was stopped by his Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (E-SAPI) plate, and one round which impacted the Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon-D (SMAW-D) rocket he was carrying across his back. Without hesitation, Spc. Giunta recovered from the impacts and ensured his squad leader was not injured. He then began bounding his team forward in an attempt to maneuver on the enemy.
Spc. Giunta and his fire team were quickly pinned down by effective enemy machine gun and small arms fire from multiple positions at close range. Spc. Giunta, along with Pfc. Clary and Staff Sgt. Gallardo, quickly prepared fragmentation grenades and continued the assault by throwing two volleys of them at enemy positions that were approximately 15 meters to their west. They then assaulted forward through those positions, secured Spc. Eckrode, and began treating his wounds. Realizing that Sgt. Brennan was missing, Pfc. Clary and Spc. Giunta continued to push forward along the enemy’s ex-filtration route, despite taking small arms fire from enemy personnel who were attempting to cover their withdrawal. Moving in the lead and rapidly closing with the enemy, despite receiving effective fire, Spc. Giunta overtook two enemy combatants attempting to drag off Sgt. Brennan, who had been incapacitated by his wounds. Spc. Giunta engaged one enemy combatant at close range and killed him, which cause the other enemy combatant to drop Sgt. Brennan and flee. Spc. Giunta then began immediate first aid on Sgt. Brennan, and also helped his squad leader to adjust security, further consolidate casualties, and prepare for Medical Evacuation operations.
Spc. Giunta’s selfless actions and personal courage were the decisive factors in changing the tide of the battle, ensuring that Sgt. Brennan was not captured by the enemy, and preventing the lead fire team from being destroyed by the enemy’s near ambush. Despite bullets impacting on and around himself, Spc. Giunta fearlessly advanced on the enemy and provided aid to his fallen comrades. His actions saved the lives of multiple paratroopers and changed the course of the battle in his platoon’s favor.
For exceptionally valorous actions during Operation Enduring Freedom VIII while assigned as a rifle team leader in Battle Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry. Spc. Giunta’s unwavering courage, aggressiveness, selfless service, and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were decisive in his platoon achieving fire superiority, defeating an enemy near ambush, and preventing the capture of a fellow paratrooper by the enemy. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, the Rock Battalion, the Bayonet Brigade Combat Team, Combined Joint Task Force-82, and the United States Army.
**Salute**, and may God Bless this Soldier. As long as we have men like him, our Republic is safe.
Men like this keep us safe from foreign enemies. It's our job to keep him safe from domestic ones.
Just wow...God Bless him-always.
Amen!
Well said.
I saw the award of this medal yesterday....and I have to say that Obama did a good job with what he had to say about this wonderful young man. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him do a good job.
Salvatore and his band of brothers were there. This guy....and all of them are purely AWESOME. They are a proof of WHY this country is so exceptional!
Remarkable...his actions take my breath away. A real hero & role model....may God reward him abundantly, in this life & in the next.
I watched the video. It was as if Obama - for the first time - realized that someone greater than Barry existed on the planet. He appeared somewhat perplexed and uncomfortable, knowing how very very small he was next to this brave and selfless sergeant. It was kind of weird, as if an angel snatched away the One’s ego and allowed him to understand true honor and character, even if only for a few moments.
Pharaoh’s heart has now had time to resolidify...
Exactly! You stated it very well. Obama actually appeared *genuine* for a few moments. When he departed from script to say, “I like this guy,” I think he honestly meant it. There is no doubt that he was impressed with Sal...an
American with the REAL American spirit.
0 did not salute the MOH winner. That was a breach of protocol.
EVERYONE is required to salute anyone wearing a MOH.
Brought tears to my eyes seen the pic of this hero.
Brought vomit to my throat seeing the Dung Beetle in Chief in the same pic with him.
What a contrast between guts and gutless.
He also should have remained in front of Staff Sergeant Giunta while suspending the medal. What a dorked up presentation. Not to mention his comments afterwards.
Perchance, Ranger! Airborne!
HOOHAH!
Everyone in O administration is timesharing the same brain.
Each person has a couple of cells to call his own. We see how well that’s working.
About protocol I was not aware of the specifics, but Zero’s behavior and body language was off, as if he were left dazed by a sudden truth ray.
We know the usurper is rotten to the core but that’s his normal. Of course, even a usurper should manage to get this right but I think this time any errors weren’t out of disrespect, but rather he was “struck dumb” (okay more than usual) by the presence of the MOH recipient.
The young sergeant had “something” about him that Zero knew he could never obtain or touch, and it shorted out Hussein’s circuits.
Half his blood gone from taking rounds and shrapnel while shielding an injured Marine, probably in shock, still with M9 and KA-bar in hand. He deserved the MOH.
God bless this hero. I watched most of the ceremony, which was hard because I just can’t watch Obama. Obama seemed to handle it well, but I just couldn’t help thinking that he had to feel small knowing he could never measure up to Sgt. Giunta. I know very few could, but the Narcissist had to be hit hard by that realization.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.