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Staff Sgt. Giunta's Medal of Honor

November 14, 2010 12:44 PM

The first living soldier to receive the Medal of Honor since Vietnam tells Lara Logan in an emotional interview just what he did to earn the nation's highest combat honor and how the recognition makes him uncomfortable.

How Staff Sgt. Giunta Earned The Medal of Honor

60 Minutes OverTime"She Makes Me Who I Am:" Medal of Honor Recipient Sal Giunta and His Wife Jenny

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by RickySQL November 22, 2010 12:32 PM EST
This hero's humbleness is so refreshing. He quickly honors and acknowledges the actions of other soldiers, who would have done the same thing, in this situation. Maybe I'm among those who cannot fathom the danger and bravado needed to face this situation head-on, in the middle of enemy positions, rather than returning to a safer place and retreat. His heroic actions pushed the enemy into retreating, and surely saved the lives of several others in the patrol, who would have been mowed down by a confident enemy, while trying to retreat. Sports idols and other "heroes" who brag about their accomplishments, expecting praise, money and rewards, can't hold a candle to this man's honor and worthiness of the medal he so deserves. Thank you for your service and dedication, SSG Giunta.
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by salvo1092 November 21, 2010 8:50 PM EST
I thank you Staff Sgt. Giunta and my family thanks you. And to all our fighting service personel,thank you.
Thank you for securing our Freedom and keeping us safe.
God bless you all.
jps
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by jibendow November 19, 2010 11:50 AM EST
I think if we classified Staff Sgt. Giunta as a hero like the Chileans minors we do a great deal of injustice to Staff Sgt. Giunta. He is the definition of a hero! The Chileans minors are a great story but no hero's. Edan Aharony
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by randall34 November 18, 2010 6:20 AM EST
I can't stand how the entire filthy war effort is always tucked away behind the sincerity and sacrifices of the soldiers on the ground. Is it nice of CBS to construct the narrative of a deserving American soldier? Unquestioningly. But is that the new role of the 4th estate to ride shotgun for the Pentagon? The entire segment is manipulative tripe. It's up to volunteer organizations to pry deeper and attempt to _INVESTIGATE_ the underlying _ISSUES_ behind the war, not just continue to be cheerleaders to slaughter, regardless of how heroic the efforts of our soldiers.
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by nanhedrick24 November 17, 2010 8:26 PM EST
My problem with this story is linked to my problem with the former story that Lara Logan covered for 60 Minutes on Afghanistan ("Afghanistan: Fighting In A "Hornet's Nest"). I don't watch 60 Minutes to have the dominant paradigm reinforced, but to be educated. In both of Ms. Logan's stories--and thus 60 Minutes' overall coverage--the "war" (or occupation) is never questioned (though in this most recent story the soldier involved made some indication of doubts). In fact, the earlier story in particular felt like one big ad for the U.S. military. Can't 60 Minutes bring us the other stories about Afghanistan--the civilians killed by the drones, the controversy about the nighttime raids, the corruption of the Karzai government? Or what about the fact that we could pay for universal health care if we weren't spending these dollars in Afghanistan? I don't think this war is going to "work" and unfortunately I can't find any reason to think that it is going to insure our freedom.

I would love for this show to interview such individuals as Malalai Joya or Ahmed Rashid or Tariq Ali or Kathy Kelly. Journalists like Scott Pelley have done such a wonderful job on global warming on this show, that this program should be able to find a way to balance and improve their foreign policy reporting.

I don't know that one's reporting assignment should be determined by one's spouse, but reading on Wikipedia that Ms. Logan is married to a defense contractor adds to my concern about her unquestioning attitude toward the U.S. foreign policy.
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by jpoli66 November 17, 2010 9:19 AM EST
As an American, I was moved by the heroics of Staff Sergeant Giunta and feel fortunate to have soldiers like him in our Armed Forces. As a journalism major, I was impressed with the storytelling and the interview. As a news show buff, I felt the production value of the entire piece was spot on. And as a red blooded male, I have to admit that I tuned in because of Lara Logan. She's done a great job as a war correspondent and more than deserves the 60 Minutes job. In fact, if the execs at CBS were smart, they would replace Katie Couric with Lara Logan. I assure you that the CBS Evening News ratings would sore.
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by Rick_1945 November 16, 2010 8:10 PM EST
Can you please limit the number of cutaways to Ms. Logan? It seems the producers are more interested in promoting her than telling their story.
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by KristineBBach November 16, 2010 4:45 PM EST
SSGT Guinta,

As a mother, the mother of a soldier, I could only hope and pray that a selfless act such as yours would bring my son home. I pray that, should the day come, my son will be strong, determined, selfless. Thank you for allowing the story to be told. Thank you for your service.
KrisB
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by jdpacker November 16, 2010 3:53 PM EST
Staff Sargeant Giunta demonstrated not only incredible bravery when he ran into the line of fire to rescue his fallen comrades, he also demonstrated selflessness--a quality not often seen in our society. By his reaction to being recognized for these accomplishments, he proves that honor and humility survive as well. Sal Giunta is a man any of us would be proud to call our friend. I'd like to shake his hand, and the hands of his parents who obviously helped to make him who he is.
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by kenschnauzer November 16, 2010 3:27 PM EST
Honest and humble, that's what makes a great person!

Sal, your acts are what makes our country great.
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