Citizenship - January

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Citizenship - January by Garth Christie, MMC To a generation of citizens the term “Medal of Honor” relates more to a combat action style video game than an individual soldier’s gallantry in actual combat. In part, this is due to rarity of the bestowal of our Nation’s highest military decoration. However, this was not always the case. General George Washington established the first award for individual gallantry in 1782 with the Badge of Military merit which consisted of a purple cloth heart. Only three sergeants received this award and it was discontinued after the Revolution. A “certificate of merit” with no accompanying medal was awarded during the Mexican -American War and was similarly discontinued. Consequently, at the outbreak of the Civil War, our Nation had no award for individual gallantry. The initial Medal of Honor idea was rejected by General-in-Chief of the Army Winfield Scott as too European. Conversely, the navy adopted it in 1861 and awarded it to petty officers, seaman and Marines for distinguished individual gallantry. The Army relented in 1862 and similarly awarded the medal to noncommissioned officers and privates. Congress made the Medal of Honor a permanent decoration in 1863 thus assuring its continued use. To date, 3,743 Medals of Honor have been awarded. Civil War soldiers received the most, 1522; and until last month only seven (all posthumously) have been awarded since Vietnam. There are two main reasons for this comparative dearth. First, there are many more medals today. General Washington’s award was revived by General Douglas MacArthur in 1932 and is known as the Purple Heart. Additionally, other high honors such as the Navy Cross and Silver Star were not options during the Civil War. Also, the nature of combat has changed. The Medal of Honor is awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy. Today, the enemy is most often engaged at long range with drones and other modern tactical options. In consideration of all the above, it was truly remarkable to see President Obama hang the Medal of Honor around the neck of Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, the first living recipient and only the eighth overall since the Vietnam War. This essay cannot do justice to his gallantry but in a nutshell, despite being shot twice, he attacked and killed Taliban ambushers with hand grenades and rifle fire saving the lives of most of his comrades. Giunta said he would give the medal back in a second if it could bring his fallen friends back to life. His selfless bravery has made Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta the unltimate hero in the minds and hearts of every citizen who has worn a uniform in defense of our country. .

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U.S. Army Europe Paratrooper Receives Medal of Honor
U.S. Army Europe paratrooper receives Medal of Honor By U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs Nov. 16, 2010 HEIDELBERG, Germany -- President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta of U.S. Army Europe's 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in a ceremony at the White House Nov. 16. Giunta earned America's highest honor for courage in combat for his actions during an ambush in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley in October 2007. WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama praises Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta of U.S. Army Europe's 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team just before presenting the Medal of Honor to At the White House ceremony Obama Giunta in a ceremony at the White House, Nov. 16. The sergeant earned America's highest award for valor in combat for his recounted the sergeant’s actions in actions during an ambush in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley in 2007. (Photo by Richard Bumgardner) Afghanistan, comparing him to fabled World War II hero Audie Murphy and calling Giunta “a Soldier as humble as he is heroic.” “I'm going to go off the script for a while and say, 'I really like this guy,'” Obama said to laughter and applause from the audience. “When you meet [Giunta and his family] you are absolutely convinced this is what America is all about, and it just makes you proud,” the president added. Giunta's platoon was ambushed at close range by an enemy force. During the firefight that followed, Giunta, then a specialist, organized his squad to repel the attack and moved through enemy fire to help and recover wounded comrades.
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Military, Free Speech and the Stolen Valor Act
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Administration of Barack Obama, 2011 Remarks on Presenting The
Administration of Barack Obama, 2011 Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Leroy A. Petry July 12, 2011 The President. Thank you, Chaplain Rutherford. Please be seated. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the White House as we present our Nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, to an extraordinary American soldier, Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry. This is a historic occasion. Last fall, I was privileged to present the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta for his heroism in Afghanistan, and Sal joins us this afternoon. Where's Sal? Good to see you. So today is only the second time during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, indeed, only the second time since Vietnam, that a recipient of the Medal of Honor from an ongoing conflict has been able to accept this medal in person. And having just spent some time with Leroy, his lovely wife Ashley, their wonderful children, in the Oval Office, then had a chance to see the entire Petry family here, I have to say this could not be happening to a nicer guy or a more inspiring family. Leroy, the Medal of Honor reflects the deepest gratitude of our entire Nation. So we're joined by Members of Congress, Vice President Biden, leaders from across my administration, including Deputy Secretary of Defense Bill Lynn, and leaders from across our Armed Forces, including the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Jim "Hoss" Cartwright, Army Secretary John McHugh, and Army Chief of Staff General Marty Dempsey.
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U.S. Army Europe Paratrooper to Receive Medal of Honor
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Bits of Ribbon and Stolen Valor by Michael J
bits of ribboN aNd stoleN valor by Michael J. davidsoN NapoleoN is reported to have said: “a soldier will fight loNg aNd hard for a bit of colored ribboN.”1 the freNch geNeral believed iN the value of awards iN eNcour- agiNg bravery oN the battlefield. More iMportaNt, he also recogNized the value of Military awards as a way to recogNize Military heroisM aNd sacrifice publicly. American military medals and decorations also serve the important function of publicly honoring the service, sac- rifice, and superior performance of the award recipients. “To those who’ve earned them, and perhaps more so to their families, those pieces of cloth and metal are priceless symbols of service and sacrifice, of time spent away from children, of foregone opportunities, and in some cases, of the ultimate sacrifice.”2 Such awards generate laudation not for heroism to obtain $66 million in security contracts from only within the military community but also among the the military.6 American public. Even those who have never served in the Until 2006, federal law enforcement authorities could military value these medals and decorations and appreciate only pursue those who illegally wore or sold unauthor- what they represent. ized military awards. In 2006, however, Congress enacted Unfortunately, there are individuals who claim mili- the Stolen Valor Act, which made it illegal to falsely claim, tary awards and honors that they never earned. In 2009, verbally or in writing, to be the recipient of military awards the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated and decorations. That legislation is currently under attack approximately 200 cases involving “stolen valor.” One as an infringement of the First Amendment.
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Inductee Biography: Salvatore Giunta
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Ruger M77 Ruger
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4Th Edition Newsletter
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Heroes of 2020” and Their Families
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