Marine Awarded Medal of Honor

Marine Awarded Medal of Honor

I remember reading the Marine Corps Times about this young Marine and the controversy that surrounded the incident.  Finding it hard to believe the administration fought so hard to deny [other heroes] the award they are so deserving of gave me pause about this era of leadership or lack thereof from within our Corps.  The leadership of the service(s) allowing theBoard to settle with the Navy Cross (no small reward) for so many others is a serious denial of praise for courage and bravery of several other Marines actions.  Is it Iraq or the the war?  Either way I do not CARE, what I care about is the spirit and discipline these Marines consistently demonstrate.

After dispute, a lengthy investigative action, and complete outrage (rightly so) from Marines from his unit and around the Corps, Corporal Carpenter was presented the nations highest honor…  Who cares about the circumstances that provided the actions, there is no way we can allow [them] to deny recognition to the troops who did what was asked and more… Seriously, remove the politics and look at the actions.  THATS REALLY ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID!

During the ceremony earlier this week, while watching, I literally wept with pride for this Marine and our ‘service’ as a whole.  It also brightens my spirit knowing he chose The University of South Carolina to attend college as I am an Alum and an even stronger supporter of the school.

Semper Fi Corporal Carpenter; I salute you and am grateful for Marines like you and the hundreds I trained at Parris Island all those years ago, you are an inspiration to all “Leathernecks” around the globe.

Questions raised regarding the consistency of awarding the Nations highest honor…

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/25/awarding-of-medal-of-honor-raises-consistency-ques/?page=all

Story from United States Marine Corps Follows…

WASHINGTON — Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter received the nation’s highest military honor from President Barack Obama at the White House June 19.
 
Carpenter received the Medal of Honor for his actions while deployed in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010. He became the third Marine and the 15th overall recipient of the medal for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

“With that singular act of courage, Kyle, you not only saved your brother in arms, you displayed heroism in a blink of an eye that will inspire for generations — valor worthy of our nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor,” said Obama.
 
On Nov. 21, 2010, Taliban insurgents initiated an attack on Carpenter’s squad, part of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. Carpenter, the squad automatic rifleman for his fire team, and Lance Cpl. Nicholas Eufrazio were holding a rooftop security position when a hand grenade was thrown their way. Without hesitation, Carpenter reacted, rushing toward the grenade in an attempt to shield his brother-in-arms from the blast.
 
Carpenter and Eufrazio survived the attack but not without sustaining severe injuries. After two and a half years at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, Carpenter was medically retired from the Marine Corps on July 30, 2013.
 
“You notice Kyle doesn’t hide his scars. He’s proud of them and the service they represent,” Obama said.
 
Created during the American Civil War, the Medal of Honor was and is awarded for gallantry in combat. Over the years, the honor evolved. Now a much more strict and regulated selection process with a separate medal for the Army, Navy and Air Force exists.  In the medal’s history, there have only been 3,469 recipients.
                                                                  
Carpenter was born in Flowood, Miss., and resides in South Carolina. He is now a full-time student at the University of South Carolina.

Carpenter’s awards include the Purple Heart Medal, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal International Security Assistance Force, and now the Medal of Honor.

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