The Giuntas, Parents of a Living Medal of Honor Recipient, Describe Their Son

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Rose Giunta shows photos of her son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, at her home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. On Nov. 16, 2010, Giunta became the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. Also pictured are Giunta's sister Katie, right, his brother, Mario, left, and his father Steve, rear. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Katie Giunta laughs in her in Hiawatha, Iowa, home, Sept. 22, 2010. Katie's older brother, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor, Nov. 16, 2010. Katie described her brother as strong and always there for her. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Rose Giunta shows photos of her son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, at her home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. Rose has kept photos of Giunta's service on the refrigerator through his basic training and two combat deployments. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Mario Giunta stands with his father, Steve, in their kitchen in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. Mario's older brother, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, was awarded the Medal of Honor Nov. 16, 2010. Mario described his brother as persistent, stubborn and someone who always had good advice. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • A letter from U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta lays on the kitchen counter at the home of his parents in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. During two combat deployments to Afghanistan, Giunta would regularly write because he mostly served in remote areas with no phone or internet service. His mother, Rose, kept his letters along with his photos. Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor, Nov. 16, 2010, for his actions while fighting in Afghanistan. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Steve Giunta, father of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, talks with the family at their home in Hiawatha, Iowa. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Rose Giunta talks with her family at their home in Hiawatha, Iowa. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Patriotic decor dots the landscape at the home of Steve and Rose Giunta in Hiawath, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Patriotic decor dots the landscape at the home of Steve and Rose Giunta in Hiawath, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Rose Giunta shows photos of her son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, at her home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Steve and Rose Giunta talk on the front porch of their home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Rose Giunta cooks in the kitchen of her home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Steve and Rose Giunta cook in the kitchen of their home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Rose Giunta cooks in the kitchen of her home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Rose Giunta reads her bible in the living room of her home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. Rose credits her faith for giving her peace during the times she knew her son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, was fighting in Afghanistan. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Steve Giunta cleans the garage of his home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. He used the family jeep to drive during high school. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker
  • Steve and Rose Giunta talk outside of their home in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2010. On Nov. 16, 2010, Giunta's son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, became the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker