Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter received the Medal of Honor
Last Thursday, President Obama presented Corporal William “Kyle” Carpenter with the Medal of Honor.
Carpenter is a U.S. Marine who fought in the Afghanistan War. According to the White House press release, Carpenter was deployed to Afghanistan after President Obama ordered the surge.
Carpenter’s unit mission was to push the Taliban out of the Afghan communities. One morning at the unit compound, Carpenter and his fellow soldiers came under enemy fire.
Carpenter and a fellow soldier and his best friend, Lance Corporal Nicholas Eufrazio, were stationed on top of a roof when they came under enemy fire.
President Obama stated that a grenade landed on top of the roof, and Carpenter threw his body on the grenade in order to protect his best friend, Eufrazio.
In describing their strong bond, President Obama quoted Carpenter as saying, “He was my point man, and I loved him like a brother.”
Carpenter’s fellow soldiers and friends, Lance Corporal Timothy M. Jackson of Corbin, Kentucky, and Lance Corporal Dakota R. Huse of Greenwood, Louisiana, did not survive the attack.
After the attack, Carpenter immediately received medical assistance. According to the White House press release, he went into cardiac arrests and died three times before the doctors were able to stabilize him.
Carpenter was flown to Walter Reeds Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he underwent several surgeries and hours of physical and psychological therapy.
President Obama noted that Eufrazio also survived the attack. He, like Carpenter, had severe injuries that required several surgeries and extensive therapy.
Carpenter praised the doctors for the work they have done and said the doctors, “put me back together well.”
Carpenter, according to President Obama, also stated that despite the scars on his face, he has found a bright side in that “the girls definitely like them.”
President Obama went on to note that Eufrazio was recovering at home and thanked him for his service.
“So, Nick, on behalf of all of us, I want you to know we honor your sacrifice as well. Your perseverance is an inspiration. And just as Kyle was there for you, our nation will be there for you and your family as you grow stronger in the years ahead,” said President Obama.
Carpenter, who was 21-years-old when the attack occurred, is now 24-years-old and a student at the University of South Carolina.
His parents, Jim and Robin Carpenter and his brothers, Price and Peyton Carpenter were at the ceremony.
Also in attendance were Carpenter’s fellow soldiers from his unit and members of the Medal of Honors Society.
President Obama ended with Carpenter’s quote, “It took a life-changing event to get me to truly appreciate the precious and amazing life I have been blessed with. Please take it from me, enjoy every day to the fullest, don't take life too seriously, always try to make it count, appreciate the small and simple things, be kind and help others, let the ones you love always know you love them, and when things get hard trust there is a bigger plan and that you will be stronger for it.”
Carpenter is a U.S. Marine who fought in the Afghanistan War. According to the White House press release, Carpenter was deployed to Afghanistan after President Obama ordered the surge.
Carpenter’s unit mission was to push the Taliban out of the Afghan communities. One morning at the unit compound, Carpenter and his fellow soldiers came under enemy fire.
Carpenter and a fellow soldier and his best friend, Lance Corporal Nicholas Eufrazio, were stationed on top of a roof when they came under enemy fire.
President Obama stated that a grenade landed on top of the roof, and Carpenter threw his body on the grenade in order to protect his best friend, Eufrazio.
In describing their strong bond, President Obama quoted Carpenter as saying, “He was my point man, and I loved him like a brother.”
Carpenter’s fellow soldiers and friends, Lance Corporal Timothy M. Jackson of Corbin, Kentucky, and Lance Corporal Dakota R. Huse of Greenwood, Louisiana, did not survive the attack.
After the attack, Carpenter immediately received medical assistance. According to the White House press release, he went into cardiac arrests and died three times before the doctors were able to stabilize him.
Carpenter was flown to Walter Reeds Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he underwent several surgeries and hours of physical and psychological therapy.
President Obama noted that Eufrazio also survived the attack. He, like Carpenter, had severe injuries that required several surgeries and extensive therapy.
Carpenter praised the doctors for the work they have done and said the doctors, “put me back together well.”
Carpenter, according to President Obama, also stated that despite the scars on his face, he has found a bright side in that “the girls definitely like them.”
President Obama went on to note that Eufrazio was recovering at home and thanked him for his service.
“So, Nick, on behalf of all of us, I want you to know we honor your sacrifice as well. Your perseverance is an inspiration. And just as Kyle was there for you, our nation will be there for you and your family as you grow stronger in the years ahead,” said President Obama.
Carpenter, who was 21-years-old when the attack occurred, is now 24-years-old and a student at the University of South Carolina.
His parents, Jim and Robin Carpenter and his brothers, Price and Peyton Carpenter were at the ceremony.
Also in attendance were Carpenter’s fellow soldiers from his unit and members of the Medal of Honors Society.
President Obama ended with Carpenter’s quote, “It took a life-changing event to get me to truly appreciate the precious and amazing life I have been blessed with. Please take it from me, enjoy every day to the fullest, don't take life too seriously, always try to make it count, appreciate the small and simple things, be kind and help others, let the ones you love always know you love them, and when things get hard trust there is a bigger plan and that you will be stronger for it.”
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