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LIONS IN BATTLE!

Cpl. William Kyle Carpenter, USMC, MOH

"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."

"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

MOH ping at 32.

I received this link in an email from ExTexasRedhead:

Heartbreaking: those who dress fallen warriors for eternity

I have had occasion to join in more than a few military funerals, at Arlington and elsewhere, and I can testify that the Troops who provide this support - this Ministry - from the time our Fallen arrive from the war zone until the end of their funeral services - are outstanding Soldiers and exemplars of all that is good in our Military and our Beloved Nation.

At Arlington, the Old Guard, in addition to guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns and taking part in funerals of their fellow soldiers - and family members - in the Army, also provide the caisson support for all senior officers of all branches of our Military. My Father, as a Senior Officer in the Navy, had the horse-drawn caisson with the Old Guard, a Navy Band, Pallbearers and firing squad. The Navy Chaplain present presented me the Flag that draped his coffin with consummate dignity and rendered a hand salute.

Also present were two "Ladies of Arlington." They are a group of patriotic ladies who staff every funeral at Arlington National Cemetery to prevent any of our Fallen Bothers or Sisters being laid to rest without someone present to acknowledge their service and sacrifice.

I could discourse at great length about the reverent service provided by the Troops and civilians - many of whom are military family - to our Fallen.

God Bless Them, God Bless Them All, God Bless Them Good!

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

Cpl. William Kyle Carpenter, USMC, MOH