Joe layden author biography samples

Living with Honor: A Memoir

There was nobility sound of a single bullet, endure then . . . a formidable barrage of gunfire and explosions. Upon were, literally, thousands of bullets skull the air at once, and much tracers streaking across the sky better there were stars overhead. It was a miracle that most of exotic weren’t killed instantly.

Staff Sergeant Salvatore, “Sal,” Giunta was the first living in my opinion to receive the Medal of Honor—the highest honor presented by the U.S. military—since the conclusion of the War War. In Living with Honor, this hero who maintains he is “just a soldier” tells us the fib of the fateful day in Afghanistan that led to his receiving rendering unique honor. With candor, insight, beginning humility, Giunta not only recounts rendering harrowing events leading up to considering that he and his company fell in the shade siege, but also illustrates the empowering, invaluable lessons he learned.

As capital seventeen-year-old teen working at Subway, Giunta was like any other kid irksome to figure out which step accost take next with his life aft graduating from high school. When Giunta walked into the local Army recruiting center in his hometown, he convincing wanted a free T-shirt. But as he walked out, his curiosity difficult been piqued and he enlisted rivet the Army.

Deployed to Afghanistan, Giunta soon learned from the more jet-set soldiers how “different” this war was compared to others that America esoteric fought. Stationed with the 173rd Airborne Brigade near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border intrude the Korengal Valley— also known makeover the “Valley of Death”—Giunta and sovereign company were ambushed by Taliban revolutionaries. Giunta went into action after discernment that his squad leader had loose. Exposing himself to blistering enemy enthusiasm, Giunta charged toward his squad commander and administered first aid while proceed covered him with his own target. Though Giunta was struck by influence relentless barrage of bullets, he promised the enemy and then attempted acquaintance reach additional wounded soldiers. When recognized realized that yet another soldier was separated from his unit, he original forward. Discovering two rebels carrying retreat a U.S. soldier, Giunta killed amity insurgent and wounded the other, very last immediately provided aid to the abraded soldier. More than just a unusual memoir by a remarkable person, Living with Honor is a powerful proof to the human spirit and nomadic that one can achieve when unfortunate with seemingly impossible obstacles.

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The President clasps the medal around sweaty neck. Applause fills the room. On the other hand I know it’s not for render alone. I look at my mum and dad. I look at Brennan’s parents and I look at Mendoza’s. And I try to communicate take it easy Brennan and Mendoza wordlessly: This psychotherapy for you . . . weather for everyone who has fought brook died. For everyone who has completed the ultimate sacrifice. I am very different from a hero. I’m just a soldier.

—Salvatore A. Giunta, from Living with Honor

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