A couple of weeks ago, important military history was being made, and I want to ensure none of you missed it.

Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta received the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama. He became the first living recipient to receive the nation's highest military award since the war in Vietnam ended more than 35 years ago. Giunta distinguished himself in Afghanistan by braving heavy enemy fire, and risking his life to save his fellow Soldiers during an ambush.

His actions were above and beyond the call of duty.

Don't call Staff Sgt. Salvatore "Sal" Giunta a hero.

Don't say that he went above the call of duty when he single-handedly stopped two terrorists from kidnapping his wounded buddy during a ferocious firefight in Afghanistan in 2007.

Because as Giunta sees it, he was just doing his job. He didn't do anything that any other paratrooper in 1st Platoon, Battle Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team -- or anyone in the United States military for that matter -- wouldn't have done, and he can't quite understand what all the fuss is about.

Medal of Honor posthumously awarded to Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller

What is it?

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest medal for valor in combat that can be awarded to members of the armed forces. Since the medal's creation in 1862, there have been more than 3,400 recipients; more than 2,000 of those were Soldiers.

What has the Army done?

Thursday, President Obama spoke with Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta to inform him that he will be awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry at the risk of his life that went above and beyond the call of duty.

Giunta will be the first living servicemember to be awarded the Medal of Honor for service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The President thanked Sergeant Giunta for his service and extraordinary bravery in battle.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians from EOD Training and Evaluation Unit 2 received awards during an awards ceremony held at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Ft. Story, Aug. 23.