Obama presents Medal of Honor

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta Tuesday became the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor for an ongoing conflict since the Vietnam War.

When presenting Giunta his medal for conspicuous gallantry, President Barack Obama called the soldier a person who was "as humble as he is heroic" calling the opportunity to present the Medal of Honor to a living recipient "joyous."

Giunta was a specialist serving with the Airborne 503rd Infantry Regiment on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan when his unit was ambushed in Korengal Valley Oct. 25, 2007.

When relating how the battle unfolded, Obama said Giunta saw several of his fellow soldiers go down, then raced forward, throwing grenades and returning enemy fire, to help one soldier who was shot but was still fighting.

When searching for other wounded soldiers, Giunta crested a hill in time to see two insurgents carrying another soldier -- his friend Sgt. Josh Brennan -- away from the fighting.

Giunta "never broke stride" as he killed one insurgent and wounded another to save Brennan from the enemy. Although Giunta administered first aid and Brennan was airlifted to a hospital, he died of his wounds in a hospital.

After the ambush, "as intense and as violent a firefight a soldier would experience," Obama said the 1st Platoon picked up their gear and continued their mission.

"Your actions disrupted a devastating ambush ... and prevented the capture of an American soldier," Obama said. "You may believe you don't deserve this honor ... but your fellow soldiers were the ones who recommended you for this award."

Obama said Giunta's actions lived up to high standards set by World War II hero Audie Murphy.

Obama also paid tribute to men and women in uniform because "they're the very best part of us."

"This medal is a testament not only to (Giunta's) uncommon valor," Obama said, but also to his parents who raised him, the military that trained him and the soldiers who served by his side.

"All of them deserve our enduring thanks and gratitude," he said.

Warning the audience he was going off-script, Obama said, "I really like this guy. ... When you meet Sal and his family, you're absolutely convinced that this is what America is all about."