medal of honor stars graphic
MEDAL OF HONOR:
Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta
Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta

MEDAL OF HONOR

Operation Enduring Freedom

Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta

Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta

Enlistment Date

November 2003

Hometown

Grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School.

Military Occupation (MOS)

Rifle Team Leader (11B)

Unit

B (Battle) Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, V Corps, Vicenza, Italy

Deployments

Operation Enduring Freedom

Salvatore (”Sal") Augustine Giunta was born in Iowa. He is the oldest of three children of Steven, a medical equipment technician, and Rosemary, a pre-school teacher. Staff Sgt. Giunta was raised in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, Iowa. Childhood adventures were in many instances a forerunner of Staff Sgt. Giunta's adult life and experiences in the Army. As a kindergartner, his mother taught him how to remove the screen from his ground-level bedroom window to escape in an emergency, such as a fire. That night, he reportedly packed a suitcase, crawled out the window, and attempted to take advantage of his new-found freedom - but made it only as far as a neighbor's because he did not know where to go. The open window escape route, coupled with sense of adventure, willing to tempt the unknown, and resultant wanderlust, may have inspired his attendance at the U.S. Army Airborne School and military service as a paratrooper.

In high school, the charismatic and outgoing Salvatore seems to have been, according to his parents, more interested in “socializing and goofing off” than in grades - and the open window frequently provided him with many opportunities to do so. Indeed, his parents have said his “energy” could be “challenging.” Examples of his good humor and frivolity include the time ”when he stole the mouse from his math teacher's computer, or sneaked out to put a Kennedy High School shirt on an opposing team's statue.” A neighbor later recalled that Salvatore's “bravery” stood out when he was in high school.

Salvatore Giunta posing in his high-school footbal uniform.

Staff Sergeant Giunta, his wife and their dog.

Salvatore was a junior at Kennedy High School when hijacked commercial jets were intentionally crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. His mother recalled that Salvatore immediately wanted to bring the family together and ensure their safety by picking up his brother from middle school and sister from elementary school, and she remembers telling him: "If the world falls part, I guess I can count on you." It was probably this same overriding sense of family and concern for his rifle platoon brothers, and his recognized bravery, that motivated his actions in Afghanistan on Oct. 25, 2007. In summing up his life prior to joining the Army in 2003, Salvatore said, "The first 18 years of my life were in Iowa. I'm an Iowan." With characteristic humility, he added, "Every single person who has touched my life has made me who I am today...The only responsibility I claim for myself is if I screw up."

While there were indications that Staff Sgt. Giunta had been recommended for the Medal of Honor and that the nomination had a good chance of approval, it was not until Sept. 10, 2010 that the White House announced that Staff Sgt. Giunta would receive the Medal of Honor, the first awarded to a living recipient since the Vietnam War. On the previous day, Sept. 9, 2010, President Barack Obama telephoned Staff Sgt. Giunta to personally inform him that he would be awarded the Medal of Honor and to thank him for his gallant and selfless service. "President Obama said ‘thank you' for what I did," Staff Sgt. Giunta said in an interview after receiving the phone call from the President. "My heart was pounding in my chest, so much that my ears almost stopped hearing. I had my wife by my side. She was holding my hand. When she heard me say, 'Mr. President,' she gave me a squeeze."

Since being thrust into the national limelight on Sept. 10, 2010, Staff Sgt. Giunta has continuously reacted with characteristic modesty and humility. "This was a situation we were put into," Staff Sgt. Giunta observed. "By no means did I do anything that everyone else wouldn't have done. "It's all kind of blurry," he stated a few days after the Medal of Honor announcement, "There wasn't a whole lot of thinking I needed to do. Looking at it like a picture, I'm just another brushstroke in the picture...I didn't run up to do anything heroic. Everybody's been shot at, and I might as well run forward," Staff Sgt. Giunta said he thought at the time. In the wake of the Medal of Honor announcement, Staff Sgt. Giunta also candidly observed that Oct. 25, 2007, was "one of the worst days of my life, and when I revisit it, it kind of guts me a little bit more every time." He also described his award of the Medal of Honor as "bittersweet": "It's a huge honor...but it does bring back memories of all the people I'd love to share this moment with who are no longer with us." Indeed, Staff Sgt. Giunta's mother recalls her son telling her that, "The medal [Medal of Honor] should go to the guy on the right of me and the guy on the left of me. We were all in the fight."

Now-Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta shows off “home” during his 15-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2007-2008. He and the other members of 1st Platoon, Battle Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, expanded Firebase Vegas, on a remote mountaintop.

Staff Sgt. Giunta has continued to demonstrate reluctance for being singled out for his remarkable heroism, observing that, "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." Humbly summing up the situation, Staff Sgt. Giunta stated, "If I'm a hero, then every man that stands round me, every woman in the military, everyone who goes into the unknown is a hero." Staff Sgt. Giunta's personification of the Warrior Ethos, his selfless leadership, and his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above the beyond the call of duty" provide tremendous inspiration and exemplify the very best of the American Soldier today.

Staff Sgt. Giunta, who was promoted to his current rank in August 2009, has served in B (Battle) Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, V Corps, Vicenza, Italy, his entire time in the Army. He currently serves as the Rear Detachment Non-commissioned Officer-in-Charge (NCOIC) of Battle Company, responsible for the health, welfare, morale, training, and accountability of all assigned Sky Soldiers.

His awards and decorations (in addition to earning the Medal of Honor) include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with one bronze service star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal for ISAF (Afghanistan), Combat Infantryman Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar, Italian Parachutist Badge, German Parachutist Badge, British Parachutist Badge.

Graphic Battle Narrative or Sketch

"We were all in the fight!"

Learn more about Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta immeasurable courage and uncommon valor in the midst of the firefight

The Battle

October 27, 2007 | Korengal Valley, Afghanistan

The distinctive unit insignia of the 173rd Airborne

173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team



On a blue silhouetted cylinder with a white border, a vertical white wing is in flight. The lower end of the wing is extended and hooked around a red bayonet. Attached above the insignia is a blue tab with “AIRBORNE” inscribed in white. The bayonet is used to refer to the brigade. The wing alludes to the brigade's airborne status. Red, white and blue are U.S. national colors.



Read Full Unit Histories

On Oct. 25, 2007, Spc. Giunta's platoon was conducting a movement to contact to interdict enemy forces on the Gatigal Spur, in order to provide over watch for 2nd and 3rd platoon's exfil back to Combat Outpost Vimot and the Korengal Outpost. While conducting their exfil from the platoon's blocking position, Spc. Giunta's platoon was ambushed by 10 to 15 enemy personnel who utilized an “L” shaped, near ambush that was within 10 meters of the platoon's main body. The enemy fired 10 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and three PKMs (machine guns) from the apex of the ambush and additional AK-47s from throughout the ambush line.

The enemy initiated the contact with an RPG and a burst of PKM (fire), which immediately hit and wounded two members of the lead team, Sgt. Brennan and Spc. Eckrode. Another RPG in the initial volley hit extremely close to Spc. Giunta's position. While Staff Sgt. Gallardo moved back to his Bravo Team to get situation reports, Spc. Giunta provided covering fire by leading his team in suppressing enemy positions, assigning sectors of fire and commanding his M-203 gunner to engage close targets. While advancing toward Spc. Giunta's team, Staff Sgt. Gallardo was struck in the helmet by an AK-47 round, which caused him to fall to the ground. Despite being under heavy fire by PKM, RPG and small arms, Spc. Giunta immediately left his covered position in order to render aid to his squad leader. As he moved to provide assistance, Spc. Giunta was struck by two bullets; one of which impacted his chest area but was stopped by his Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (E-SAPI) plate, and one round which impacted the Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon-D (SMAW-D) rocket he was carrying across his back. Without hesitation, Spc. Giunta recovered from the impacts and ensured his squad leader was not injured. He then began bounding his team forward in an attempt to maneuver on the enemy.

Spc. Giunta and his fire team were quickly pinned down by effective enemy machine gun and small arms fire from multiple positions at close range. Spc. Giunta, along with Pfc. Clary and Staff Sgt. Gallardo, quickly prepared fragmentation grenades and continued the assault by throwing two volleys of them at enemy positions that were approximately 15 meters to their west. They then assaulted forward through those positions, secured Spc. Eckrode, and began treating his wounds.



In his own words.

Staff Sergeant Salvatore "Sal" Giunta

Realizing that Sgt. Brennan was missing, Pfc. Clary and Spc. Giunta continued to push forward along the enemy's ex-filtration route, despite taking small arms fire from enemy personnel who were attempting to cover their withdrawal. Moving in the lead and rapidly closing with the enemy, despite receiving effective fire, Spc. Giunta overtook two enemy combatants attempting to drag off Sgt. Brennan, who had been incapacitated by his wounds. Spc. Giunta engaged one enemy combatant at close range and killed him, which cause the other enemy combatant to drop Sgt. Brennan and flee. Spc. Giunta then began immediate first aid on Sgt. Brennan and also helped his squad leader to adjust security, further consolidate casualties and prepare for Medical Evacuation operations.

Spc. Giunta's selfless actions and personal courage were the decisive factors in changing the tide of the battle, ensuring that Sgt. Brennan was not captured by the enemy and preventing the lead fire team from being destroyed by the enemy's near ambush. Despite bullets impacting on and around himself, Spc. Giunta fearlessly advanced on the enemy and provided aid to his fallen comrades. His actions saved the lives of multiple paratroopers and changed the course of the battle in his platoon's favor.

For exceptionally valorous actions during Operation Enduring Freedom VIII while assigned as a rifle team leader in Battle Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry. Spc. Giunta's unwavering courage, aggressiveness, selfless service and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were decisive in his platoon achieving fire superiority, defeating an enemy near ambush and preventing the capture of a fellow paratrooper by the enemy. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, the Rock Battalion, the Bayonet Brigade Combat Team, Combined Joint Task Force-82 and the United States Army.

"The medal [Medal of Honor] should go to the guy on the right of me and the guy on the left of me. We were all in the fight...This was one moment. In my battalion, I am mediocre at best. This shows how great the rest of them are. If I'm a hero, then every man that stands round me, every woman in the military, everyone who goes into the unknown is a hero."

- Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta
Reflecting on being a recipient of the Medal of Honor, Army.mil interview, April 19, 2017.

Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team's B Company, 1st Platoon, pose for a photo in Afghanistan after a convoy, May 17, 2005. Department of Defense. (Photo courtesy of the Giunta family)

AMBUSH IN THE KORENGAL VALLEY

Then-Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifle team leader with Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, Oct. 25, 2007.

Area of Operation
On Oct. 25th, 2007, the Soldiers of 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Battle Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, were nearing the end of Operation Rock Avalanche, a multi-day combat mission. Operating along the edge of the Korengal Valley's Gatigal Spur, in northeastern Afghanistan, 1st Platoon was conducting an overwatch patrol of 2nd and 3rd Platoons as they moved through the village of Alia Bad in the valley below. Only two days prior, another group of Paratroopers had been attacked by insurgents in the area. As night fell and the operation was drawing to a close, the Soldiers began walking back to their combat outpost (COP).

The Enemy Awaits
While moving along the ridge, the Paratroopers of 1st squad had no idea that the enemy had a classic L-shaped ambush waiting for them. Between 10 to 15 attackers had found a location that allowed them to set up a good distance from the Paratroopers and which also allowed them to fire from behind cover and concealment. The enemy were armed with AK-47 assault rifles and some Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and PKM machine guns.

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Wall of Fire
The enemy initiated the ambush with sudden and intense RPG and PKM fire. Sgt. Brennan and Spc. Eckrode, walking at the front of the single-file formation, were wounded in the initial onslaught. The enemy used an uncharacteristically high ratio of tracer rounds to normal rounds, which created a wall of fire to the left of the squad. The squad members dropped to the ground and sought cover within a couple of feet of where they had been standing to return effective, controlled fire from prone positions.

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Taking Cover
Spc. Giunta began directing his fire team while Staff Sgt. Gallardo attempted to link up with Sgt. Brennan and Spc. Eckrode. As Spc. Giunta fired at the enemy to his front, he realized his team was taking fire from their right as well and that the enemy must be in an L-shaped position. The full gravity of the situation hit him and he directed Pfc. Casey and Pfc. Clary to fall to their rear a few feet so the enemy couldn't roll-up through their line from their right.

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Gallardo Falls
After realizing he couldn't reach Sgt. Brennan and Spc. Eckrode through the wall of enemy fire, Staff Sgt. Gallardo attempted to rejoin Spc. Giunta and his fire team. While travelling toward Spc. Giunta, Staff Sgt. Gallardo was struck in the helmet by an AK-47 round and fell into a ditch. Spc. Giunta immediately ran through AK-47, PKM and RPG fire to help Staff Sgt. Gallardo to cover. By the time they reached cover near Pfc. Casey and Pfc. Clary, Spc. Giunta was struck twice by enemy fire. He was hit on the lower part of his chest, which was stopped by the Enhanced-Small Arms Protective Insert (E-SAPI) plate in his Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV). The Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon-Disposable (SMAW-D) he had slung on his back also stopped a bullet from striking his left shoulder.

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Grenade Volley
Pinned down by effective enemy fire, Staff Sgt. Gallardo, Spc. Giunta and Pfc. Clary inventoried their supply of fragmentation grenades and began preparing to use them. The four-Paratrooper team used multiple grenade volleys, and Pfc. Casey's team used M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) and their M-4 assault rifles to weaken enemy resistance enough to link up with Spc. Eckrode, who was responsive and trying to clear his jammed SAW.

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Where's Brennan?
While Staff Sgt. Gallardo began treating Spc. Eckrode's wounds and calling for a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Pfc. Casey provided area security. Spc. Giunta and Pfc. Clary continued toward Sgt. Brennan's last-known position. They came upon two insurgents carrying Sgt. Brennan - who was severely wounded - away from the ambush site. Spc. Giunta engaged and killed one of the insurgents, which forced the other one to drop Sgt. Brennan and retreat. Spc. Giunta began immediate first aid on Sgt. Brennan while reinforcements from other squads in their platoon arrived. Spc. Giunta continued to assist the medic who arrived as they awaited MEDEVAC for their wounded teammates.

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THE UNIT


Soldiers' ranks are presented from Company records at the eve of deployment to Afghanistan and in many cases are not current.


  • Sergeant Joshua Brennan

    Sgt. Joshua Brennan - (KIA)

    Sgt. Brennan was hit multiple times during the initial ambush and at some point was carried away by two insurgents from the area of contact. Spc. Giunta recovered Sgt. Brennan from his captors and began treating his many wounds. After retrieval, Sgt. Brennan was medevaced from the site, but later succumbed to his wounds.

  • Specialist Hugo Mendoza

    Spc. Hugo Mendoza - (KIA)

    Spc. Mendoza was a medic for the Headquarters element of the platoon. He was critically hit during the initial ambush and quickly succumbed to his wounds.

  • Specialist Frank Eckrode

    Spc. Frank Eckrode

    Spc. Eckrode was hit multiple times during the ambush, but was still mobile enough to find cover and return fire to the enemy's position. When Spc. Eckrode's Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) jammed, he was assisted by Bravo Team who provided cover fire while Staff Sgt. Gallardo treated his wounds.

  • Staff Sergeant Erick Gallardo

    Staff Sgt. Erick Gallardo

    Upon initial enemy contact, Staff Sgt. Gallardo tried to link up with Spc. Eckrode and Sgt. Brennan but was stopped by a wall of heavy fire. After realizing he couldn’t reach Sgt. Brennan and Spc. Eckrode, Staff Sgt. Gallardo attempted to rejoin Spc. Giunta and his fire team. While maneuvering toward Spc. Giunta, Staff Sgt. Gallardo was struck in the helmet by an AK-47 round and fell into a ditch. Spc. Giunta immediately ran to help Staff Sgt. Gallardo to cover. Upon reaching cover, Staff Sgt. Gallardo, Spc. Giunta, Pfc. Clary and Pfc. Casey inventoried their grenades and threw multiple volleys toward enemy positions. They made it up to Spc. Eckrode where Staff Sgt. Gallardo began treating his wounds. After Sgt. Brennan was retrieved by Spc. Giunta, Staff Sgt. Gallardo bounded to their position and began assessing Sgt. Brennan and providing necessary medical treatment.

  • Specialist Salvatore Giunta

    Spc. Salvatore Giunta

    At the initial barrage of enemy fire, Spc. Giunta sought cover and brought his team online to begin returning fire. At some point in the battle, Spc. Giunta left cover to assist Staff Sgt. Gallardo back to their cover position. While exposed, the enemy shot Spc. Giunta multiple times but the rounds were all stopped by his body armor. After numerous grenade volleys, Spc. Giunta, Staff Sgt. Gallardo, Pfc. Casey and Pfc. Clary linked up with Spc. Eckrode. Spc. Giunta continued on toward Sgt. Brennan's last-known position. Upon reaching the position, Spc. Giunta, identitfied the injured Sgt. Brennan being carried away by two insurgents. Spc. Giunta, engaged the insurgents, killing one and wounding the other, which enabled him to retrieve Sgt. Brennan and began medical treatment to his multiple wounds.

  • Private First Class Kaleb Casey

    Pfc. Kaleb Casey

    As the Bravo Team Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) gunner, Pfc. Casey provided a cyclic return and cover fire after the initial ambush. Later upon linking up with Spc. Eckrode, Pfc. Casey provided security and additional cover fire for his team.

  • Private First Class Garrett Clary

    Pfc. Garrett Clary

    As the squad's only Soldier with an M203 grenade launcher, Pfc. Clary provided effective grenade fire and coverage, which allowed his team to bound up to Spc. Eckrode's position. Clary continued on to support and provide security to Spc. Giunta as he retrieved Sgt. Brennan from his captors.

  • Spc. Christopher Izell

  • Spc. Brett Perry

  • Pfc. Michael Burns

  • Staff Sgt. Josue Valles

  • Sgt. Roberto Sandifer

  • 1st Lt. Bradley Wynn

  • Spc. Tyler Gangwer

  • Sgt. Nathan Reilly

  • Spc. Drew Talley

  • Pfc. Oliver King

  • Staff Sgt. Curtis Brouthers

  • Staff Sgt. Chris Shelton

The Ceremony



President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta in the East Room of the White House, November 16, 2010, for his actions of valor during an enemy attack in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan, Oct. 2007. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

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President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta in the East Room of the White House, November 16, 2010, for his actions of valor during an enemy attack in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan, Oct. 2007. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta in the East Room of the White House, November 16, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

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President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta in the East Room of the White House, November 16, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Close up of Medal of Honor on Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giuntas uniform during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in 2010. Giunta, from Hiawatha, Iowa, is the first living veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to receive the award. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

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Close up of Medal of Honor on Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giuntas uniform during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in 2010. Giunta, from Hiawatha, Iowa, is the first living veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to receive the award. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

President Barack Obama applauds Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta in the East Room of the White House, November 16, 2010, after presenting the Medal of Honor to him for his actions of valor during an enemy attack in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

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President Barack Obama applauds Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta in the East Room of the White House, November 16, 2010, after presenting the Medal of Honor to him for his actions of valor during an enemy attack in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta thanks his teammates from Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment and all those in the room that helped shape his life, during his induction ceremony into the Hall of Heroes. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

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Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta thanks his teammates from Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment and all those in the room that helped shape his life, during his induction ceremony into the Hall of Heroes. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony - From left to right: Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Army Secretary John McHugh, Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, his wife Jennifer Giunta, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

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Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony - From left to right: Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Army Secretary John McHugh, Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, his wife Jennifer Giunta, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)



“ These are the soldiers of our Armed Forces. Highly trained. Battle-hardened. Each with specialized roles and responsibilities, but all with one thing in common -- they volunteered. In an era when it's never been more tempting to chase personal ambition or narrow self-interest, they chose the opposite. They felt a tug; they answered a call; they said, “I'll go.” And for the better part of a decade, they have endured tour after tour in distant and difficult places; they have protected us from danger; they have given others the opportunity to earn a better and more secure life. ”

President Barack Obama

White House Ceremony, November 16, 2010


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