Brave Marine jumps on grenade to save fellow comrade – wins Medal of Honor
William Kyle Carpenter. You may or may not know his name, but he is undoubtedly an American hero.
At 21, Kyle served as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marines, deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. During a fierce firefight, a grenade landed near him and another Marine. Without a moment’s hesitation, Kyle made a life-altering decision: he threw himself onto the grenade, shielding his comrade from the blast.
His selfless act saved his friend’s life but left Kyle with catastrophic injuries. Shrapnel tore through his body, his skull and facial bones were shattered, he lost part of his jaw, and one lung collapsed. Upon arrival at Camp Bastion, he was declared Patient Expired on Arrival (P.E.A).
Over the next two years, Kyle endured forty surgeries. His immense courage earned him the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor, presented by President Barack Obama.
Now retired from military service, Kyle is working toward a degree at the University of South Carolina. His legacy stands as a testament to bravery and sacrifice. Watch the video below for more about this true American hero.
