Marine to Receive Medal of Honor for Gallantry in Afghanistan

From a White House News Release

WASHINGTON – A former active-duty Marine now serving in the Inactive Ready Reserve will receive the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama here Sept. 15 for conspicuous gallantry almost two years ago in Afghanistan, White House officials announced today.

Dakota Meyer will be the third living recipient - and first Marine - to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Meyer is receiving the nation’s highest military honor for actions Sept. 8, 2009, while he was serving with Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Afghanistan’s Kunar province.

He was born in Columbia, Ky., on June 26, 1988, attended local public schools, and graduated from Green County high school. In 2006, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He completed his active duty commitment last year and now serves in the Inactive Ready Reserve of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as a sergeant.

Meyer deployed twice to the combat theater, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, praised Meyer in a statement issued after the White House announcement.

"I am extremely pleased by the news that the president has announced that he will award the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Dakota Meyer,” he said. “Sergeant Meyer embodies all that is good about our nation's Corps of Marines. He is a living example of the brave young men and women whose service, fidelity and sacrifice make us so proud.

“Sergeant Meyer's heroic actions on Sept. 8, 2009, in the Ganjgal village in Afghanistan serve as an inspiration to all Marines and will forever be etched in our Corps' rich legacy of courage and valor,” Amos continued. “Speaking on the behalf of all Marines, I congratulate Sergeant Meyer on this auspicious news and look forward to his award ceremony here in Washington, D.C., in mid-September."