25OCT2007: Serving as a team leader with Company B, 2-503IN, SPC Salvatore Giunta and his squad began a patrol that would take them back to the relative safety of their nearby outpost. Shortly after leaving their overwatch position, SPC Giunta's squad became the focus of a near ambush initiated by 10-15 Taliban fighters. Armed with assault rifles, machine guns, and RPGs, the enemy force initiated contact with a heavy barrage of close range fire. The two elements were so close that attack aviation overhead was unable to differentiate between friend and foe. Almost instantly, the two men at the head of the column were hit and fell wounded. In reflexive response, SPC Giunta fired into the enemy attackers as he fell back a few feet to consolidate his fire team. The volume of fire only intensifying and now coming from two sides, SPC Giunta led a counterattack to break up the ambush. Leading with grenades, SPC Giunta and his men pushed into the teeth of the enemy ambush, recovering one of the wounded US Soldiers to whom they began providing medical aid. However, SGT Joshua Brennan wasn't lying where he fell. Despite the continued enemy fire, SPC Giunta pushed forward in search of his fallen brother. Cresting the hill he spotted two Taliban fighters carrying a wounded SGT Brennan away. Without hesitation, Giunta took aim and charged ahead killing one enemy fighter and wounding the other causing them to drop SGT Brennan. His team consolidated and held on for reinforcements as the battle dissipated. For his selfless act of courage in breaking up the enemy ambush and rescuing a wounded American from being taken captive, SPC Salvatore Giunta would be awarded the Medal of Honor.

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