WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley paid tribute to Staff Sergeant Salvatore A. Giunta, a native of Hiawatha, at his ceremony to receive the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest medal for valor in combat that can be awarded to members of the armed forces. Giunta received the Medal of Honor for valorous actions performed on October 25, 2007, during combat operations in Afghanistan. Giunta, a graduate of Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, is the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.
“It was humbling to watch as Staff Sgt. Giunta received the Medal of Honor. While he would probably be the last to say so, Staff Sgt. Giunta’s selfless and honorable actions are truly deserving of the highest honor given to an American service member. May God bless him and all those protecting our nation.”
Click here to watch the video of the Medal of Honor ceremony.
Click here to watch a video blog Senator Grassley taped after the Medal of Honor ceremony.