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Marine of the Week | Youngest Medal of Honor Recipient

Marine of the Week | Youngest Medal of Honor Recipient

Lance Corporal William Kyle Carpenter

Company F, 2d Battalion 9th Marines

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Automatic Rifleman with Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division (Forward), 1 Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 21 November 2010. Lance Corporal Carpenter was a member of a platoon-sized coalition force, comprised of two reinforced Marine squads partnered with an Afghan National Army squad. The platoon had established Patrol Base Dakota two days earlier in a small village in the Marjah District in order to disrupt enemy activity and provide security for the local Afghan population. Lance Corporal Carpenter and a fellow Marine were manning a rooftop security position on the perimeter of Patrol Base Dakota when the enemy initiated a daylight attack with hand grenades, one of which landed inside their sandbagged position. Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Carpenter moved toward the grenade in an attempt to shield his fellow Marine from the deadly blast. When the grenade detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the blast, severely wounding him, but saving the life of his fellow Marine. By his undaunted courage, bold fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death, Lance Corporal Carpenter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

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Comments

Charles Richard Jr - April 4, 2020

Semper fi brother Bravo 3rd Tanks ’68 ’69

Phil Whitehead - April 4, 2020

How come Veterans who get more recognize if they got Metals treatment for Veterans Health Care than a Disabled Veterans

B Chace - April 4, 2020

Awesome truth!!

BRENDAN MCCARRON 1st MAW - April 4, 2020

DAM MARINE. YOU HAVE A VERY BIG SET OF BALLS. SURE BIGGER THAN MINE. THANK YOU.
SEMPERR FI.
BRENDAN MC CARRON VIETNAM VET.

JERRY CLARK - April 4, 2020

L/CPL CLARK, HOTELCOMPANY 2/9 MARINES 3RD MARINE DIVISION 1968 VIETNAM. PROUD OF
YOU. YOU ARE AN HONOR TO THE CORP AND OUR COUNTRY. YOU MAKE ME PROUD TO BE A
MARINE.ONLY 72, BUT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK. SEMPER FI BROTHER

A. Garcia - April 4, 2020

Semper Fi brother! Job well done!

Cpl Garcia A USMC 87-91

R. Michael Graf - April 4, 2020

Semper Fi Marine you are now as we have always been, our youth need to all be required to read your story, this comes as now it is time for my generation.
Sgt. R. Michael Graf, Vietnam, 67-68. BLT 2/4

M maizy - April 4, 2020

Semper Fi Marine! Your courageous actions are deeply appreciated. I salute you sir.

Sgt RP Connelly 73-76 - April 4, 2020

God bless you Lance Corporal. Uncommon valor was a common virtue.

Cpl. Donald R. MacGregor - April 4, 2020

There are only two kinds of Marines…Quick Marines…and dead Marines!!!
He who hesitates is lost…

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