William Kyle Carpenter is a medically retired United States Marine who received the United States' highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010.
Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Kyle Carpenter recounted his road to recovery after the near-fatal blast he received during Operation Enduring Freedom in Marjah, Afghanistan, when he spoke at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 24.
Carpenter, the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, received the medal from President Barack Obama for throwing himself in front of a live enemy hand grenade to protect a fellow Marine.
Carpenter suffered injuries to his body, including severe damage to his face and right arm. The injuries to his face resulted in the loss of his right eye.
He also spoke about the importance of Marines’ commitment and service to the nation.
Carpenter said he found comfort in speaking with men and women who already knew the weight of the Marines’ responsibility of being the first line of defense for the nation.
However, Carpenter believed he could not possibly sum up the historical Battle of Marjah nor sum up the legacy of the Marine Corps.
At the Medal of Honor Theater in the museum, he was among his peers, some of whom also had felt the incredible heat of 110-degree days and the cool waters that would seep into their boots. He was also among peers who had felt the weight of 100 pounds of gear, ammo and water on their backs.
As he stood in front of the audience, he reminisced on the events that transpired 8 years ago and passed around his medal.
In great detail Carpenter re-imagined the events of the grenade blast, describing the feeling of warm water being poured onto his body, but in turn blood leaving his body.
He described the thought that rushed through his head about his mother sitting at home, finding out that her boy did not return home unhurt.
Carpenter described his void-of-being as he blacked out in Marjah and did not wake up until five weeks into his treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He was unsure of where he was or of the injuries he had sustained.
His injuries were so severe that Carpenter died three times during his multitude of surgeries. But his will to live proved strong and he was thankful for the medical team at Walter Reed that worked to help him live.
“We all have our battles,” Carpenter said, noting his physical, mental and spiritual battles after his injuries.
He believes that where the Marine Corps trained him to fight and be relentless in the face of battle, nothing could have prepared him for the fight after being injured in battle.
He explained that as a Marine you know the sacrifices you are going to make when you go into the combat zone. Nothing could keep Carpenter from being a Marine, because his heart to volunteer out-weighed his fear of sacrifice. He said he wanted to volunteer regardless of what it would cost him.
“The heart of a volunteer—there aren’t too many things stronger than that,” Carpenter said. “Truly be proud of what you’ve done and the time you served, whether it was one day or 20 years, be appreciative for that opportunity you have earned.”
He told past, present and future service members that by raising their right hand when they take the oath they are expressing the will to write a blank check to the government, which may require the sacrifice of life.
“The United States Marine is a beacon of hope for dark places and suffering people all around the world,” Carpenter said. “Many gave the ultimate sacrifice; many gave limbs to help people live lives free of oppression and hardship, and replaced it with democracy and prosperity.”
Carpenter considered himself proud and extremely honored to have stood among men and women who vowed to stand as an example for what is best for the world.
“Never forget: When no one else would, you raised your right hand and sacrificed, and became a part of this nation’s history and Marine Corps legacy,” Carpenter said. “There are people there who are going through their life, and one of their biggest regrets is not serving when they could have.”
Carpenter considers himself privileged to have the platform to speak about his experience and to have received the Medal of Honor.
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