President Obama honors Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta with the Medal of HonorBy: Storey DeBrew
Five Medal of Honor recipients were honored Thursday, during the basic combat training graduation at Fort Jackson.
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta was one of those honored. He is the only living recipient of the Medal of Honor for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Giunta was presented with his Medal in November of 2010 by President Obama.
"The two lead men were hit by enemy fire and knocked down instantly. When the third was struck in the helmet and fell to the ground, Sal charged head long into the wall of bullets to pull him to safety behind what little cover there was," said the President during the presentation.
Some of the staff at Fort Jackson said it was important to have the medal of honor recipients at graduation, so they can inspire future graduates.
"I believe that the example that the recipients showed is that no matter what as long as you do your job, and fight though adversity on the battle field, that they can do anything," said Captain Ron Morris.
Giunta says he is humbled by receiving the prestigious award.
"What I did in Afghanistan was no different that what every soldier is expected to do. My piece of the military has been so small and so insignificant and so average everything that I have done has not been stellar or amazing and its just been on par with everyone else and what we expect everyone else to do," Giunta said.
Giunta said the graduation ceremony wasn't about his actions or his award, but about the new recruits and their futures.
"These are the soldiers that will be facing that. We prepare for it the best we can but it will be the unknown when they get there it will be their unknown."
Giunta ended his trip to Fort Jackson with a round table discussion and Fort Jackson's post theater.
