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11/17/10, 10:45 PM
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talk little, listen much
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: IOWA
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by watcher
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it is not our job to judge those in military service. he did his job, he wasn't like John Kerry who sought out opportunity to get medals, this guy just did what every soldier does in that situation and then some - that's why he got recognized for his service. watching him thru all these ceremonies, one thing was clear - he accepted the medal for those who were killed in service for their country, not for himself. this young man is a real hero and very deserving of the honor bestowed on him.
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There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.
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11/17/10, 10:56 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Missouri Ozarks
Posts: 5,069
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Quote:
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it is not our job to judge those in military service. he did his job, he wasn't like John Kerry who sought out opportunity to get medals, this guy just did what every soldier does in that situation and then some - that's why he got recognized for his service. watching him thru all these ceremonies, one thing was clear - he accepted the medal for those who were killed in service for their country, not for himself. this young man is a real hero and very deserving of the honor bestowed on him.
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Well put Lilandra. What Watcher doesnt understand or comprehend is that MoH winners represent the sacrifice and actions of their fallen comrades whose actions will never be known or recognized. It is a particular duty and honor these very few selected individuals carry for life.
Read up a little on it Watcher, you have completely missed the meaning of the Medal of Honor and you dishonor GySgt Hathcock and LtGen Puller by bringing them into your argument.
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11/17/10, 11:07 PM
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Member of the mod squad
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FLW, MO
Posts: 7,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by watcher
As I have said the guy probably deserves a medal but I don't see giving him the MoH.
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Thankfully, all of his comrades in arms disagree. 
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11/18/10, 01:10 PM
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de oppresso liber
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,948
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Quote:
Originally Posted by salmonslayer
Well put Lilandra. What Watcher doesnt understand or comprehend is that MoH winners represent the sacrifice and actions of their fallen comrades whose actions will never be known or recognized. It is a particular duty and honor these very few selected individuals carry for life.
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The MoH is supposed to be the ultimate award for bravery and valor. Its supposed to be given for the most extreme examples of this. If you want to recognize and honor a trooper's actions just to "represent the sacrifice and actions of their fallen comrades" there are other medals.
Quote:
Originally Posted by salmonslayer
Read up a little on it Watcher, you have completely missed the meaning of the Medal of Honor and you dishonor GySgt Hathcock and LtGen Puller by bringing them into your argument.
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Not to get nasty but IMO, giving this guy the MoH for his actions is a dishonor not only to Hathcock and Puller (both of whom should have been awarded it according to almost every trooper I have ever talked) as well as many of the others out there.
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Congress has no power to appropriate this money as an act of charity. Every member upon this floor knows it. . .Davy Crockett
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11/18/10, 01:11 PM
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de oppresso liber
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,948
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kung
Thankfully, all of his comrades in arms disagree. |
How many have you asked? I've talked to several who feel the same way I do. Give the guy a silver star but his actions don't really rise to the point of giving him our nation's highest possible award for valor and bravery.
Go here http://www.history.army.mil/moh.html and read the citations describing the actions of the trooper awarded.
I'm waiting for this trooper's award to be listed so I can read just what it says.
__________________
Remember, when seconds count. . .
the police are just MINUTES away!
Congress has no power to appropriate this money as an act of charity. Every member upon this floor knows it. . .Davy Crockett
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11/18/10, 01:36 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Missouri Ozarks
Posts: 5,069
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Quote:
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Not to get nasty but IMO, giving this guy the MoH for his actions is a dishonor not only to Hathcock and Puller (both of whom should have been awarded it according to almost every trooper I have ever talked) as well as many of the others out there.
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First of all, I spent half my military career in the Marine Corps and though I dont disagree that Hathcock and Puller maybe deserved the MoH I could say the same thing about a lot of people who have served and sacrificed and didnt get recognized at that level. Most people dont get awards commensurate with their actions, some do and those who actually get those awards shouldnt have their service diminished by sniping from the comfort of a computer chair.
And oh by the way, GySgt Hathcock and LtGen Puller were not Troopers, they were Marines.
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11/18/10, 01:46 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Missouri Ozarks
Posts: 5,069
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For those who would like to read his actual citation:
Citation
Official Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded, in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor to
Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta
United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
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. 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. 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.
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11/18/10, 03:52 PM
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swamper
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,030
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolly
Plus a $1000/month pension.
And if wearing the medal (say, at Dining In...) doesn't his superior officers have to salute him?
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Any active or retired serviceman should salute him!!!
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Died November 4, 2008
Suicide
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11/18/10, 08:03 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,332
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Quote:
Originally Posted by salmonslayer
For those who would like to read his actual citation:
Citation
Official Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded, in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor to
Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta
United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
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. 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. 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.
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Yeah, that should be downgraded to an Attaboy ribbon or I Was There medal of some type. 
Study up on Puller, he made plenty of enemies in and out of the military that probably kept him from getting his medal.
Hathcock was a sniper at a time when they were frowned upon by many people as being what? unfair? unsporting? sneaky? Now they have a much better public image, back in his time, not so much.
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