Above and beyond the call of duty........

24 year old Marine Corporal Kyle Carpenter was awarded the Congressional

Medal Of Honor today in the Oval Office...

Here's what the official citation says...

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, 2nd Battalion,

9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team One, 1st Marine Division (Forward), 1st 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 rifle squads, partnered with an Afghan National Army squad.

The platoon had established Patrol Base Dakota two days earlier in a small village in

the Marja 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 towards

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.

He was pronounced "PEA", Patient Expired on Arrival. The docs brought him back.

Corporal Carpenter has endured 40 surgeries, the loss of an eye and most of his lower teeth.

He is not bitter. He uses this event to remind himself to appreciate the small things,

to be kind to others and to let those you love know that you love them.  

I hope to think of him, and others like him, when I believe I'm having a bad day.

Semper Fi.