And we walked that 300 meters and it was like the world exploded on us.

I don't, but maybe been in 150 gun fights prior to that day, and I'd never seen one so intense and so close.

And I came up on two people carrying one person by the arms and by the feet.

I didn't understand who it was or why they were going the wrong way.

And as I got closer, I realized it was two enemy combatants carrying Sergeant Brennan.

Hey, welcome back to The Spear, a podcast by the Modern War Institute at West Point.

I'm John Amble,

editorial director at MWI, and in this episode, MWI's Major Jake Moraldi talks to retired

staff sergeant Sal Junta about a fight in the Kornigal Valley in Afghanistan. During a

multi-day mission, enemy forces laid an ambush for Junta's platoon.

The firefight that followed was devastating.

Juta describes the incredible professionalism and leadership of U.S. soldiers that day,

but he himself received the Medal of Honor for his actions.

It is, of course, an incredible story and we're grateful to Staff Sergeant Junta for making

time to share it with us during a visit to West Point.

Before we get to it, though, a couple quick notes.

First, if you aren't yet following MWI on social media, find us on Twitter, Facebook,

or LinkedIn.

It is the best way to stay up to date on all of the new articles, podcast episodes, and

research we're publishing every day. is the best way to stay up to date on all of the new articles, podcast episodes, and research

we're publishing every day. And second, as always, what you're about to hear are the views

of the participants and don't represent the position of West Point, the army, or the U.S.

...