Medal of Honor awarded to Dakota Meyer
President Barack Obama on Thursday bestowed the nation's highest military honor on Kentucky native Dakota Meyer, a young and humble Marine who defied orders and barreled straight into a ferocious "killing zone" in Afghanistan to save 36 lives at extraordinary risk to himself.
Section:Picture story
In this undated photo released by the U.S. Marines, Sgt. Dakota Meyer poses for a photo while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Ganjgal Village, Kunar province, Afghanistan. The White House announced the 23-year-old Marine scout sniper from Columbia, Ky., who has since left the Marine Corps, will become the first living Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in decades for his actions in Afghanistan.
U.S. Marines Associated Press
At age 21, Meyer charged through heavy insurgent gunfire on five death-defying trips in an armored Humvee to save 13 Marines and Army soldiers and an additional 23 Afghan troops pinned down by withering enemy fire.
Associated Press
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and former Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyers walk into the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, before the president awarded Meyers, 23, from Greensburg, Ky. the Medal of Honor.
Charles Dharapak Associated Press
Meyer killed at least eight insurgents despite suffering a shrapnel wound in his arm as he manned the gun turret of the Humvee and provided covering fire for the soldiers, according to the military.
Associated Press
Members from the unit of former Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyers, 23, from Greensburg, Ky. are acknowledged by President Barack Obama during a Medal of Honor ceremony, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
Charles Dharapak Associated Press
President Barack Obama prepares to award the Medal of Honor to former Marine Corps Cpl. Dakota Meyers, 23, from Greensburg, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais Associated Press
The Medal of Honor is held by a military honor guard as the citation is read prior to President Barack Obama awarding the Medal of Honor to Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyers, 23, from Greensburg, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
Charles Dharapak Associated Press
"You did your duty, above and beyond," Obama told Meyer after reciting his dramatic story. Though the corporal and a fellow Marine were going against orders — commanders considered their effort too dangerous — they were doing what they thought was right, Obama said.
Associated Press
President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to former Marine Corps Cpl. Dakota Meyers, 23, from Greensburg, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais Associated Press
President Barack Obama shakes hands with former Marine Corps Cpl. Dakota Meyer, 23, from Greensburg, Ky., during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Sept., 15, 2011, where the president awarded him with the Medal of Honor.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais Associated Press
In the ceremony, Obama praised Meyer's humility and work ethic, noting that he would not even take a call from the president during his shift at a construction job because he was working. He's now out of the Marines. So they two arranged to talk over his lunch hour. Obama jokingly kidded him with thanks for taking the call.
Associated Press
President Barack Obama applauds former Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyer, 23, from Greensburg, Ky, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, after awarding him the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
Charles Dharapak Associated Press
First lady Michelle Obama talks with Mike Meyer, father of former Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyer, 23, from Greensburg, Ky, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, after President Barack Obama awarded him the Medal of Honor.
Charles Dharapak Associated Press
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