On this 9/11 Anniversary, the Gulf Coast Simpleton would like to recognize the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.Valor!
Obama Awards Living Soldier the Medal of HonorTo read the whole Washington Post article, click on the blog post title or copy and paste this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/10/AR2010091002712_pf.html
By Craig Whitlock and Greg Jaffe Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, September 10, 2010; 11:21 PM
Under a bright Afghan moon, eight U.S. paratroopers trudged along a ridge in the Korengal Valley, unaware they were walking right into a trap. Less than 20 feet away, a band of Taliban fighters executed the ambush plan perfectly, enveloping the paratrooper squad in an explosion of bullets and grenades.
Salvatore Giunta, a 22-year-old Army specialist from Hiawatha, Iowa, was knocked flat by the gunfire; luckily, a well-aimed round failed to penetrate his armored chest plate. As the paratroopers tried to gather their senses and scramble for a shred of cover, Giunta reacted instinctively, running straight into the teeth of the ambush to aid three wounded soldiers, one by one, who had been separated from the others.
Two paratroopers died in the Oct. 25, 2007, attack, and most of the others suffered serious wounds. But the toll would have been far higher if not for the bravery of Giunta, according to members of his unit and Army officials.
On Friday, the White House announced that President Obama will award Giunta the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor. He will become the first living recipient of the medal who has served in any war since Vietnam.
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