Medal of Honor to Iowan

The event occurred Oct. 25, 2007, in eastern Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. Giunta was a specialist at the time and rifle team leader. He served in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based out of Vicenza, Italy.

Giunta overcame being separated from his unit, evaded potential enemy captors and risked his life to rescue two fellow soldiers. His unit was divided during the gun battle. One fellow soldier was exposed to enemy fire when Giunta left his cover to pull the soldier to safety.

Obama to Award Medal of Honor to Living Afghan War Vet

From his own words:

“There was a task that had to be done, and the part that I was gonna do was to link alpha and bravo teams. I didn’t run through fire to save a buddy  —  I ran through fire to see what was going on with him and maybe we could hide behind the same rock and shoot together. I didn’t run through fire to do anything heroic or brave. I did what I believe anyone would have done.”

Excerpt from the book “War” by Sebastian Junger

And

"This respect that people are giving to me? This was one moment. In my battalion, I am mediocre at best. This shows how great the rest of them are."

To save his comrades, Medal of Honor nominee rushed headlong into an ambush