Dakota Meyer

Dakota Meyer is a former United States Marine Corps Corporal who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan. He was born in Columbia, Kentucky, and grew up in Green County, Kentucky, where he attended Green County High School and was a member of the Future Farmers of America. Meyer's actions during the battle were recognized by General James Amos, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama at the White House.

● Early Life

Dakota Meyer was born on June 26, 1988, in Columbia, Kentucky, to Mike Meyer and Debbie Meyer. He grew up in Green County, Kentucky, where he attended Green County High School and was a member of the Future Farmers of America. Meyer's family has a strong connection to the United States military, with his grandfather serving in the United States Army during the Korean War. After graduating from high school, Meyer worked as a high school welder and later enrolled in the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. He was inspired by the September 11 attacks and the War on Terror, and wanted to serve his country like Pat Tillman, a former National Football League player who was killed in action in Afghanistan.

● Military Career

Meyer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2006 and completed Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. He then attended the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger and was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Regiment. Meyer deployed to Iraq in 2007 and later to Afghanistan in 2009, where he was stationed in the Kunar Province. During his deployment, Meyer was part of a team that was tasked with training Afghan National Army soldiers, and he worked closely with United States Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs. Meyer's unit was also supported by United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters.

● Medal of Honor

On September 8, 2009, Meyer's unit was ambushed by Taliban fighters during the Battle of Ganjgal. Meyer, who was a Corporal at the time, risked his life to save his fellow soldiers and Afghan National Army troops. He repeatedly entered the kill zone to rescue wounded soldiers and recover the bodies of the dead, despite being wounded himself. Meyer's actions were recognized by General James Amos, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama at the White House on September 15, 2011. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.

● Later Life and Activism

After leaving the United States Marine Corps in 2010, Meyer returned to Kentucky and began speaking publicly about his experiences during the War in Afghanistan. He has spoken at events hosted by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Meyer has also worked with Congressman Ed Whitfield and Senator Mitch McConnell to support veterans' rights and military families. In 2012, Meyer published a book about his experiences, Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War, which was co-authored with Bing West. The book received praise from General David Petraeus and Admiral William McRaven, and it has been compared to other war memoirs such as Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell.

● Awards and Decorations

Meyer's awards and decorations include the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He has also been awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal. Meyer's Medal of Honor citation recognizes his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty" during the Battle of Ganjgal. The citation was signed by President Barack Obama and is on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. Meyer's awards and decorations are also recognized by the United States Army, United States Navy, and the United States Air Force, and he has been honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution.