Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on October 25, 2007, at Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. His citation reads:
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.
Corporal John J. Given (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on July 12, 1870, at Wichita River, Texas. His citation reads:
Bravery in action.
Blacksmith Albert Glavinski (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 17, 1876, at Powder River, Montana. His citation reads:
During a retreat he selected exposed positions, he was part of the rear guard.
It is easy to look back in history and forget that the people leading the revolution didn’t know how it would end. All of them were just one unlucky day away from hanging from a tree by their neck. Think about that.
There was a time when I would spend July 3-4 with Sonny delivering and shooting fireworks (and getting paid). It was a lot of fun and something I really enjoyed doing. The Wife didn’t like it. So we compromised and I don’t do it anymore.
RIP to the great Andy Griffith. Word on the street is that he passed away yesterday at the age of 86. I loved watching him as Sheriff Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show and later as the great Southern lawyer Ben Matlock on Matlock. He was also in some very funny movies, was a great stand-up comedian and had a beautiful singing voice. I enjoyed watching him work.
The I’m just sayin… Quotes of the Week
I decided to post more than one quote today, because it was hard to pick just one…
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. - Erma Bombeck
Freedom is never free. - Author Unknown
And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me. - Lee Greenwood
Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one. – Benjamin Franklin
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