Sgt. Dakota L. Meyer, Medal of Honor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakota_Meyer

Dakota Louis Meyer (born June 26, 1988) is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the War in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal on September 8, 2009, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Meyer is the second youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, the third living recipient for either Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan and the first living Marine in 38 years to be so honored.

Battles/wars

1. Iraq War
2. War in Afghanistan, Battle of Ganjgal

Awards

1. Medal of Honor
2. Purple Heart
3. Navy Commendation Medal
4. Navy Achievement Medal
5. Combat Action Ribbon

Medal of Honor

"The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

CORPORAL DAKOTA L. MEYER

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009. When the forward element of his combat team began to be hit by intense fire from roughly 50 Taliban insurgents dug-in and concealed on the slopes above Ganjgal village, Corporal Meyer mounted a gun-truck, enlisted a fellow Marine to drive, and raced to attack the ambushers and aid the trapped Marines and Afghan soldiers. During a six hour fire fight, Corporal Meyer single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, saved 36 Marines and soldiers and recovered the bodies of his fallen brothers. Four separate times he fought the kilometer up into the heart of a deadly U-shaped ambush. During the fight he killed at least eight Taliban, personally evacuated 12 friendly wounded, and provided cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape likely death at the hands of a numerically superior and determined foe. On his first foray his lone vehicle drew machine gun, mortar, rocket grenade and small arms fire while he rescued five wounded soldiers. His second attack disrupted the enemy’s ambush and he evacuated four more wounded Marines. Switching to another gun-truck because his was too damaged they again sped in for a third time, and as turret gunner killed several Taliban attackers at point blank range and suppressed enemy fire so 24 Marines and soldiers could break-out. Despite being wounded, he made a fourth attack with three others to search for missing team members. Nearly surrounded and under heavy fire he dismounted the vehicle and searched house to house to recover the bodies of his fallen team members. By his extraordinary heroism, presence of mind amidst chaos and death, and unselfish devotion to his comrades in the face of great danger, Corporal Meyer reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

signed//Barack Obama

Dakota Louis Meyer (born June 26, 1988) is a United States Marine. A veteran of the War in Afghanistan, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal on 8 September 2009, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Meyer is the second-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, the third living recipient for either the Iraq War or the War in Afghanistan and the first living U.S. Marine in 38 years to be so honored.

Dakota Meyer Dakota L. Meyer.JPG Meyer in November 2011 Birth name Dakota Louis Meyer Born June 26, 1988 (age 30) Columbia, Kentucky, U.S. Allegiance United States Service/branch United States Marine Corps Years of service 2006–2010 Rank USMC-E5.svg Sergeant Unit Embedded Training Team 2-8 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines Battles/wars Iraq War War in Afghanistan

Battle of Ganjgal (WIA)

Spouse(s) Bristol Palin (m. 2016; div. 2018) Children 3 (1 stepchild) Other work Into the Fire (2012)