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November 16th, 2010
04:30 PM ET
Medal of Honor ceremony slideshowWashington (CNN) - President Obama awarded Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta with the Medal of Honor at the White House on Tuesday. Obama recognized Giunta for his heroics during a firefight in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley in 2007. He is the first living Medal of Honor recipient since three Vietnam heroes were recognized in 1976. Here's a photo gallery of CNN photos from the emotional East Room ceremony. 
November 16th, 2010
04:16 PM ET
Remarks by the president in awarding the Medal of HonorFrom the White House: THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. Thank you, Chaplain Carver, for that beautiful invocation. Of all the privileges that come with serving as President of the United States, I have none greater than serving as Commander-in-Chief of the finest military that the world has ever known. And of all the military decorations that a President and a nation can bestow, there is none higher than the Medal of Honor. Today is particularly special. Since the end of the Vietnam War, the Medal of Honor has been awarded nine times for conspicuous gallantry in an ongoing or recent conflict. Sadly, our nation has been unable to present this decoration to the recipients themselves, because each gave his life - his last full measure of devotion - for our country. Indeed, as President, I have presented the Medal of Honor three times - and each time to the families of a fallen hero.
November 16th, 2010
03:18 PM ET
Medal of Honor goes to first living recipient from Afghanistan warFrom the CNN Wire Staff Washington (CNN) - A 25-year-old Army staff sergeant from Iowa on Tuesday became the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since three service members from the Vietnam War were honored in 1976. President Barack Obama awarded the nation's highest medal of valor to Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta - the kind of soldier who leaves you "just absolutely convinced this is what America's all about," Obama said at the White House award ceremony. "It just makes you proud." Giunta was a specialist serving with the Airborne 503rd Infantry Regiment on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan when his unit was attacked on the night of October 25, 2007. According to Defense Department documents, Giunta and his fellow soldiers were walking back to base along the top of a mountain ridge when the enemy attacked from their front and their left. Taliban fighters barraged the Americans with AK-47s, rocket propelled grenades and Soviet-era large machine guns. 
November 16th, 2010
12:29 PM ET
The fare up there: Air Force One CNN's Eatocracy Food in the Field gives a sneak peek into what CNN's team is eating, and the food culture they encounter as they travel the globe. Today's contributor, Senior Photojournalist Mark Walz is based in Washington D.C. He covers the White House and has traveled on Air Force One many times. Click here to see what they serve aboard Air Force One.
November 16th, 2010
12:28 PM ET
Study shows drug use higher among minority teensWashington (CNN) – A new study highlighted by the White House on Tuesday shows that drug use has increased among minority teens. The Office of National Drug Control Policy says that there has been “significant increases” in drug use among African-American teen girls and Hispanic teen boys. "These data confirm that in addition to overall increases in youth drug use nationwide, certain minority populations are suffering from illegal drug use at even higher rates,” said “Drug Czar” Gil Kerlikowske. As part of a response to the new data, the government is increasing funding for drug prevention by $203 million, funding for treatment programs by $137 million, and a new anti-drug media campaign. 
November 16th, 2010
12:28 PM ET
Kumar returns to the White HouseWashington (CNN) – Actor turned White House staffer Kal Penn of "Harold and Kumar" fame is returning to Washington for a job at the White House. Penn, who also goes by his birth name of Kalpen Modi, is returning to the White House Office of Public Engagement as an associate director. He resigned a similar position in June to shoot the third installment of the "Harold and Kumar" series. 
November 16th, 2010
08:17 AM ET
"The Football" “The Football” is a black leather bound briefcase carried by the President’s Military Aide. The briefcase contains the authorization codes for the President to launch a nuclear attack from anywhere in the world. Also referred to as President's Emergency Satchel, the "football” travels with the President at all times. Unlike depictions in the movies, this briefcase is never handcuffed to the Military Aide.
November 16th, 2010
08:00 AM ET
The battle that created America's newest heroCOMBAT OUTPOST DURANI, Afghanistan (CNN) — Their memories of the firefight are still searing, three years after it took place. "The while time frame lasted, I don't know, maybe two minutes, three minutes. Five or six lifetimes," U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta told CNN. "You can turn and see the muzzle flashes and the bullets coming out of the guns and it's not just one of them, not just 10 of them, it's more than that."
November 16th, 2010
08:00 AM ET
Living Medal of Honor winners gained fameEditor's note: President Obama will present Sal Giunta with the Medal of Honor award on Tuesday. Watch live on CNN TV and online. More on the Medal of Honor Washington (CNN) - When President Obama awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta on Tuesday, a lot will be made about the fact that he is the first living Medal of Honor recipient since Vietnam. To be exact, Giunta is the first living recipient since President Ford presented Medals of Honor to three heroes of Vietnam on March 4, 1976.
November 16th, 2010
08:00 AM ET
Medal of HonorWashington (CNN) - Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr speaks with the nation's first living Medal of Honor recipient since Vietnam, Sal Giunta. |
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