Event: Texas Army ROTC Leadership Speaker Series presents Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta the first living person to receive the United States Armed Forces’ highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor, for actions that occurred after the Vietnam War. His talk is titled “The Leader in All of Us.”
When: Friday, Feb. 24, noon-1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For seating, please RSVP to Gina Mays, 512-471-5639.
Where: Room 104, Sanchez Education Building, University of Texas at Austin.
Background: On Oct. 25, 2007, Giunta and his company were ambushed by insurgents while conducting a patrol in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. While under extreme enemy fire, Giunta’s unwavering courage, selflessness and decisive leadership were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American soldier from the enemy. In this way, Giunta “distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action” the criteria for being awarded the Medal of Honor.
Watch Staff Sgt. Giunta’s Medal of Honor Tribute.
