A compelling memoir from a true hero—and one of the few living persons to ever be awarded the celebrated Medal of Honor.Sal Giunta was just a regular kid from Iowa when he enlisted in the army to figure out what to do with his life. He never thought that a few tours of duty later, he would be the first living person since the Vietnam War to be awarded the esteemed Medal of Honor. First stationed in Italy and then deployed into Afghanistan, Giunta had a firsthand perspective of the ground war and its daily difficulties—some quotidian in nature, some anything but. He and around 150 of his company were stationed in the dangerous Korengal Valley in 2007, where some of the most intense fighting in the war had taken place. Giunta called it, “basically hell on earth.” Late one night in October of 2007, Giunta’s company embarked on a sting operation into the Taliban’s forces. They were ambushed on a rugged mountain path by twenty insurgents. Giunta sprang into action and with little regard for his own safety, he withstood enemy fire to administer medical aid to his wounded fellow soldiers—even rescuing one soldier who was being carried away by the insurgents—until his squad reached safety. For the unrivaled bravery and selflessness of his actions, Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama. In this fascinating and riveting memoir, he depicts the realities of war, as well as the moment-by-moment details of the event that earned him the nation’s highest distinction.
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"Author Sal Giunta describes in graphic detail what life is like for our American soldiers in Afghanistan. He is a reluctant hero but one who has learned a lot of important life lessons the hard way. For the use of profanity, viewer discretion is advised!" — Steve (5 out of 5 stars)
"Author Sal Giunta describes in graphic detail what life is like for our American soldiers in Afghanistan. He is a reluctant hero but one who has learned a lot of important life lessons the hard way. For the use of profanity, viewer discretion is advised!"
“Candid, confessional…A simply told account that reminds us of the awesome weight accompanying this signal honor.”
“More than anything, it’s his genuineness and humility that will make you appreciate Giunta’s spirit and his memoir. If we as a nation are still capable of producing young men like him, we’re doing okay.”
" A well flowing narrative that seems real. Not too offensive on what can be touchy subjects but not to politically correct either. "
" Great journey! "
" Great book. True hero. Thinking of others before himself. "
" Speechless. Teary and overwhelmed and thankful to be educated on something that no matter what is shown over and over in the news, can hardly touch the unseen, the unspoken and the unknown by civilians about war. "
" The majority of book discussed relationships & history between characters in book. Only a brief section was left to describe the actual battle for which the CMH was awarded. "
" Wow. There isn't much more to say other than I'm proud to live in a country where men such as Sal are fighting and dying for our country. This book is not just his story but a tribute to the soldiers who fought and sometimes died by his side. "
" Good book that helps non-military people understand the horrible nature of war and how it's so different than the non-lethal world. Thank goodness for soldiers like Sal Guinta...bless every one of these men and women. "
Salvatore A. Giunta retired from active duty in 2011. Prior to that, he was responsible for the health, welfare, morale, training, and accountability of the soldiers in his company in the Army, working to ensure all unit family members were well taken care of while their spouses were deployed in Afghanistan. He is one of the few living people to ever be awarded the Medal of Honor, and he was presented the award by President Obama in a White House ceremony. He has also received numerous other commendations, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Purple Heart. He lives in Colorado with his wife and daughter.
Keith Nobbs is a stage, television, and film actor who is best known for his portrayal of Joey Ice Cream in the television series The Black Donnellys. He has acted on Broadway with the Roundabout Theatre Company and appeared in such television shows as The Sopranos, Law & Order, and New York Undercover.
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