I had the privilege of participating in a bloggers roundtable with members of Medal of Honor recipient SSG Salvatore Giunta’s platoon present the day of the events leading to that medal recommendation. Three members, SSG Brett Perry, SSG Erick Gallardo, and SGT Burns were assigned to Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment when engaged by the enemy on Oct. 25, 2007. After throwing hand grenades at the enemy positions in order to suppress them, Giunta moved forward without hesitation into what had been enemy fighting position only moments before. Giunta engaged two enemy fighters and then rescued his wounded comrade and assisted in keeping him alive before the Soldier eventually succumbed to his wounds. Giunta’s unwavering courage, in the midst of an ambush in which two American paratroopers gave their lives and several more were wounded, embodied the highest ideals of the Army Values. His selflessness and leadership above and beyond the call of duty exemplify the strength of the Nation.
Let me paint a picture for you of what the terrain was like when this happened. The narrative doesn’t do justice. These guys were on a spur that had maybe 6-7 feet of width of walking space in a highly vegetated area in the Korangal Valley. The Soldiers had to march in single file due to the steep slopes on each side of them. The surrounding rock was hard and gray that they Soldiers had to march through with heavy packs on. Suddenly, not more than 20 feet away, the squad was ambushed by the enemy concealed in the vegetation to their western flank.
Immediately, the two lead Soldiers were hit and the third was knocked back. According to his squad mates, Sal (SSG Giunta) coordinated the counterattack and sprung into action. He pulled the third guy, who happened to be SSG Erick Gallardo, to safety and was hit twice in the process. He regrouped and counterattacked, hurling grenades and as much firepower as they possessed at their attackers. They finally reached one of the two initially shot. Sal then sprinted ahead to find that the final casualty was being drug away by two insurgents who were quickly dispatched by Giunta’s well-aimed fire. His buddy was badly wounded, but still alive.
The story has been told and retold, but I wanted to focus on the man as seen through the eyes of his squad. The ceremony that honored Sal with the Medal of Honor was a huge relief to the squad. It was an opportunity to “finally getting to close that book, that chapter of life,” according to SSG Gallardo.
From the time the first rounds flew in, Sal was there. There was no time to think and instinct took over. Almost immediately the squad was regrouped, a testament to the leadership ability and competence of the MOH recipient. Each Soldier credited a strict adherence to training on Army doctrine for their ability to survive what should have been a kill zone.
“Some don’t believe in it, but it worked that night,” said Gallardo. “We went straight by the book and it worked.”
SGT Burns explained the “chaotic” nature of that moment.
“You basically did fall back on your training and muscle memory,” he said. “I’m glad I had the training that I was given by my NCOs.”
“Everyone did their job that night,” agreed SSG Perry. “It should have been worse than it was.”
There is a tendency in the garrison environment to get a little impatient with Army training. The drills become monotonous and exhausting. They are practiced over and over again to the point that you could do it in your sleep.
The incident has brought this band of brothers closer than ever. The very nature of spending 15 months in tight quarters, sleeping almost on top of each other, had already cemented that bond, but surviving a near death experience strengthens that bond to the point of unbreakable.
“”We don’t need to speak to know what the other needs,” said Gallardo. The bond is so strong that they instinctively know when another needs a shoulder or an ear. Miles do not separate these lifelong friends.
The guys were excited to be back together in DC for the ceremony. They keep in touch via social media sites like Facebook and email. Every year on the 25th of October, the anniversary of the ambush, they get together somewhere just to bond and talk about their experiences.
When asked what it will be like to salute their friend now that he is a Medal of Honor recipient, they guys made it clear that Giunta won’t be changed by the medal.
“We’re gonna salute him every chance we get,” said Perry. “But, he’s still Sal. He’s not gonna wipe that in anyone’s face. He’s just got a prettier medal than everyone else.”
Gallardo followed up that “his real friends are going to give him a hard time every day and keep him in check. He doesn’t want special treatment.”
President Obama said as much in his speech prior to the ceremony.
“When you meet Sal and you meet his family, you are just absolutely convinced that this is what America is all about,” the President remarked addressing SSG Giunta. “And it just makes you proud.”
Another part of the SSG Giunta story that isn’t well-known is that he was stop-lossed during that battle. When he got back he had the opportunity to get out of the Army and was planning to do just that. His squad was preparing for another deployment (they just returned from that one 10 days ago!) when Sal had a change of heart.
24 hours prior to being a civilian, SSG Giunta decided to reenlist to perform duties as the Rear Detachment NCOIC. He wanted to continue taking care of his Soldiers by looking after their families and homes while they were gone. No one had stepped up to take that position and he couldn’t NOT do it.
The NCO Creed states that we have two basic responsibilities: the accomplishment of our mission and the welfare of our Soldiers. SSG Salvatore Giunta personifies both. And he does it with humility, respect, and a sense of duty.
