Soldiers who risk their lives for their country are heroes. Sometimes, soldiers demonstrate incredible bravery through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of [their lives] above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States."



The actual medal awarded has changed over time. Today, the Army Medal of Honor is a gold star surrounded by a wreath under an eagle on a bar with the word “valor" inscribed on it. It hangs from a light blue silk neckband. The other versions of the medal are very similar to the Army version.






Attacking insurgents were armed with assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and machine guns. Giunta said, “[T]here were more bullets in the air than stars in the sky. A wall of bullets at every one at the same time with one crack and then a million other cracks afterwards. They're above you, in front of you, behind you, below you. They're hitting in the dirt early. They're going over your head. Just all over the place. They were close — as close as I've ever seen."


He claims he did nothing that his fellow soldiers wouldn't have done for him. One of his fellow soldiers had this to say about Giunta: "For all intents and purposes, with the amount of fire that was going on in the conflict at the time, he shouldn't be alive."

Wonder What's Next?

Tomorrow’s leafy Wonder of the Day will really give you something to think about!