Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

US Medal of Honor awarded

Updated at 11:13 am on 17 November 2010

President Barack Obama has awarded a Medal of Honor to Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, the first living soldier to receive the decoration since the Vietnam War.

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Staff Sergeant Giunta, 25, is also the first living soldier to receive the military's highest honour for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He risked his life and sustained bullet wounds to protect his comrades during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan in October 2007.

He served two tours in Iraq and previously received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service.

At a White House ceremony, Mr Obama said Salvatore Giunta's actions saved lives.

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