Posted on 07/20/2011 1:21:17 PM PDT by LeoWindhorse
WASHINGTON — A Marine who braved intense enemy gunfire in Afghanistan to recover the bodies of four fallen comrades will receive the Medal of Honor for his heroism, defense officials said Wednesday.
Dakota Meyer, who left the service last year, will be the third living recipient of the award for actions in Afghanistan and the tenth man recognized for exceptional bravery in the current wars. He’ll also be the first living Marine to receive the honor since the Vietnam War.
(Excerpt) Read more at stripes.com ...
I wish him a long, happy and productive life. I hope he sees all his dreams come true. Semper Fi.
If we had more 22 year olds like this we wouldn’t be in the sorry shape we’re in. Awesome guy.
listen to the audio in this report
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2009/09/08/75036/were-pinned-down-4-us-marines.html
“He’ll also be the first living Marine to receive the honor since the Vietnam War.”
About time they gave it to a Marine who was still around to savor it.
Well done, Marine!
Semper Fi!
I heard he is thinking about re-enlisting
He should wait until we have a new C&C
[ Allen West ]
Was he never recommended for the MoH...did it go in that way and was later bumped down to the Navy Cross, with his 2 buddies.
During the Iraqi war years, I often read the citations posted on FR, for my Marines who were recommended for the Navy Cross. Reading them, I often could NOT see why they weren't for the MoH, other than that they were still alive. <
There had been lots of talk that for whatever reason, over the last decade, the Pentagon seemed to prefer than ALL MoH s be posthumous..glad to see it's changed..
Semper Fi, Marine.
I did a tour in Baghdad (Mar 07 - Mar 08)in the IZ, as someone who at the time was closely approaching 50. I wondered how the younger members were. I was nothing but impressed, they did amazing things routinely. We are in good hands as long as these people are representitive of the youth of today.
Semper Fi my fellow Marine! God bless you and those with whom you served!
“There had been lots of talk that for whatever reason, over the last decade, the Pentagon seemed to prefer than ALL MoH s be posthumous..glad to see it’s changed..”
Too bad they weren’t so concerned when Bob Kerrey, Nebraska got his for leading his company the wrong way and getting his leg blown off with a land mine. That MoH ‘qualified’ him to be Nebraska’s Gov, then later Senator.
Thank you for that bit of info. I taught high school for awhile, it didn’t give me the warm fuzzies. I mean a lot of the kids were nice, but it also was a little scary when I thought about them running things (of course, they were a bit younger than this young man). I wish more of our youth did something that grew them up. Life is not all about ipods and video games and fast food and stuff. I don’t want a draft or forced service like the Peace Corp, but I do wish parents would make their kids do something out of high school for a year that sent them off to see the world.
2 of my sons did a foreign semester, in which they had to speak a language other than English. My youngest went and lived and worked in Costa Rica for about 6 or 8 months after college. And he was completely immersed in the culture. Of course he was glad to come back to the US and so appreciated what we have here. It was awesome for him.
I was a military brat and we lived overseas and part of the time we lived off base. Of course it was not primitive, exactly, but it was a good experience. (Japan off base in the early 1960s, we couldn’t even drink the water from the faucet).
Anyway, I’m rambling. But I’m glad to hear it, and I hope those fellas and young ladies step up and run for office and maybe things aren’t as dire as they seem. God bless you! (btw I’m the daughter of an Air Force vet, retired and still alive and daughter in law of a Marine pilot—deceased since 2006). I respect everyone who serves. Thank you for your service.
What’s a former Marine?
Your kind words are appreciated.
Too bad the lad didn’t receive it while he was still in uniform. He should have the opportunity to enjoy generals saluting HIM. I saw a few of the BIG medals when I was in the Marines..mid 60’s..they were from WW II and Korea..and it was amazing to watch the reaction whenever one walked into a room...
That would be a Marine like Murtha.
Doh!
Well done, Marine! You’re an inspiration.
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