Retired Marine Corporal to Receive Medal of Honor

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2014 – Retired Marine Corps Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter will receive the Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry in Afghanistan from President Barack Obama at a June 19 White House ceremony, according to a White House news release issued yesterday.

Carpenter will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions on Nov. 21, 2010, while serving as an automatic rifleman with Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, according to the release.

In July 2013, Carpenter was medically retired from the Marine Corps as a corporal due to his wounds, the release said. He is currently a full-time student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Carpenter will be the eighth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to the release.

Carpenter was born in Flowood, Mississippi, on Oct. 17, 1989, and graduated from W. Wyman King Academy, Batesburg, South Carolina, in 2008, the release said. In February 2009, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at Recruiting Station Columbia, South Carolina, and completed his basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, later that year.

According to the release, Carpenter’s personal awards include a Purple Heart Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. Additional awards and decorations include the Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal ISAF for Afghanistan, and Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.

The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while:

-- engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;

-- engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

-- serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.