the story of savatore giunta. >> reporter: savatore giunta says the medal is too big for one man. >> this is big. i can't take this for myself. i'm going to think about them and where it happens, i'll be thinking about them and when it's done i'll be thinking about them. >> reporter: it happened in october, 2007. that day like nearly everyday in the afghanistan valley across the pakistani border his unit faced heavy fire. he earned the honor of a nation and praise of a president that day. >> i'm going off script here for a second and just say i really like this guy. [ laughter ] >> reporter: this is the scene a day earlier as the soldier learns his friend has been shot dead. the next day, 22-year-old specialist giunta would face the challenge of a lifetime displaying what the award describes as conspicuous gallantry. staff sergeant brad perry was near him when they were ambushed. >> i can't describe the intensity. >> reporter: giunta watched his best friend badly wounded, dragged away by insurgents. he charged into the ambush after them under heavy fire. >> i was hit twice, one round