Lance Corporal William Kyle Carpenter
Company F, 2d Battalion 9th Marines
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Automatic Rifleman with Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division (Forward), 1 Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 21 November 2010. Lance Corporal Carpenter was a member of a platoon-sized coalition force, comprised of two reinforced Marine squads partnered with an Afghan National Army squad. The platoon had established Patrol Base Dakota two days earlier in a small village in the Marjah District in order to disrupt enemy activity and provide security for the local Afghan population. Lance Corporal Carpenter and a fellow Marine were manning a rooftop security position on the perimeter of Patrol Base Dakota when the enemy initiated a daylight attack with hand grenades, one of which landed inside their sandbagged position. Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Carpenter moved toward the grenade in an attempt to shield his fellow Marine from the deadly blast. When the grenade detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the blast, severely wounding him, but saving the life of his fellow Marine. By his undaunted courage, bold fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death, Lance Corporal Carpenter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
That is what marines do in the face of danger that meat the danger head on and smile back at death Semper Fi
Ooh-friggin-RAH!!!
Semper Fi to my brother. Thank you for your courage
Ooorah Semoer Fi brother.
Ooorah Semper Fi Brother (sorry for incorrect spelling I have fat fingers)
Semper Fidelis Marine! Your courageous actions are deeply appreciated. I salute you.
My wife and I met Kyle at a breakfast in his honor at Marine Corps League 942, Danville, California. I spoke to Kyle since we are both from South Carolina. He shook hands and had pictures taken with all who were there. He is a fine young man. I just finished his book and it should be required reading in high schools so that the youth of today can learn about loyalty and sacrifice to our country.
I have to give credit to his Drill Istructors,also.They are the ones who made this Marine what he is.A HERO.Semper Fi
Thank You For Your Brave Service and May God Bless You!
Semper Fi Brother! God Bless You! Your family… our family! I salute you!
I SALUTE THE “MOH” DRAPED AROUND YOUR NECK, GIVE YOU A HUG, STEP BACK & SAY “SEMPER FIDELIS & OOORAH, CPL. CARPENTER”. FATHER GOD MOST ASSUREDLY HAD HIS HAND & ANGELS THERE TO SPARE YOUR LIFE. BE SURE TO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR PROTECTING YOU FROM A PHYSICAL DEATH. SERVE HIM THE REMAINDER OF YOUR LIFE & FOLLOW ONLY HIS PATH LAID OUT FOR YOU !!!!
Awesome truth!!
Thank you. Sir.
I lost my son, a Marine, last yr, 1 wk before Christmas. I will hold you in my heart as I hold my son and all Marines. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas from a Marine mother.
I am so sorry for the loss of your son. Thank you for raising a fine young man willing to serve in the Marines. Our son almost lost his leg while serving in Iraq. Thank goodness we have men and women willing to fight for our freedom. Again, I am sorry for such a tragic loss.
Words cannot express the courage demonstrated during that heroic moment. May God Bless YOU!
Semper Fi Marine you are Marine through and through it must be in your DNA. Thank you for your service I would fight along side you any time oorah.
“If you were accused of being a Marine, would there be enough evidence to convict You?” Hell yeah!!!! You are the epitome of what a Marine should be. Semper Fi!!
Makes me proud to be part of the U. S.M.C family!
I stood taller, squared my shoulders, and beamed with pride knowing you are my Brother. Thank you for your Outstanding service to Our Corps and Country. Semper Fi !
Just how old was he at the. It seems difficult to be younger than Jack Lucas was when he got his during WWII.?
Not taking anything away from this young Marine’s courage and devotion to his brothers, Jack Lucas turned 17 a week before the Iwo Jima landing. He had joined the Corps at 15, gotten as far as Hawaii before it was discovered that he was only 16 years old. A letter from his girlfriend somehow exposed him. He was told he could stay in the Corps but was made a truck driver. He raised hell, was brigged at least once, and then managed to smuggle himself aboard his unit’s ship when they embarked for Iwo. After being safely at sea, with no chance of being sent back, he came forward and turned himself in so he wouldn’t be listed as a deserter. He was allowed to remain with his brothers and made the landing. His medal involved two hand grenades. On patrol, they were hit by enemy fire. The first grenade landed and Lucas through himself on it just as another was tossed into their position. He quickly scooped it under his body as well. Luckily, one was a dud. The other was not. Lucas is one of only about 6 or 7 men to ever survive falling on a grenade that exploded. Bless all those who sacrifice for their brothers, whatever branch the serve. But damn! What a Marine.
Semper Fi!!!
Semper Fi young Devil Dog!
There are only two kinds of Marines…Quick Marines…and dead Marines!!!
He who hesitates is lost…
This is a true hero. Thank you sir for the sacrifices you have made for our freedoms.
Semper Fi Devil Dog
God Bless L/C Carpenter ; He’s UP IN HEAVEN BECAUSE HE SERVED HIS TIME IN HELL !
No greater love…….
Thank God for Corporals!
Semper Fi Devil Dog, from an old Nam Grunt Put Cmdr
For all you did, and what you gave there will always be a special place in our history and will never be forgotten. God bless. SemperFi Marine.
PFC. 0311 2d Bn 26th Marines 2d plot. Vietnam. Retired GySgt.
Semper Fi! So proud of you!
Make no mistake, you did your job above and beyond, and certainly earned the MOH. May the rest of your life be just as brave. It would be a good idea for you to go to schools and talk to the young people. God only knows how desperately the young people today need a positive roll model, that life isn’t about me all the time. They need to know and learn when it’s time to step up and protect.
God bless you in whatever you do with your life now, but always remember that every Marine is your brother or sister and we’ll always have your 6.
Just finished his book and it is a great read. Truly inspirational and enlightening. Phenomenal attitude and drive throughout his ordeal. Semper Fi
May I possess that quality of selflessness and willingness to sacrifice my life for the good of others if faced with that instantaneous decision. I often dream of being so courageous in such a situation. God bless you!
God bless you Lance Corporal. Uncommon valor was a common virtue.
Semper Fi Marine! Your courageous actions are deeply appreciated. I salute you sir.
Semper Fi Marine you are now as we have always been, our youth need to all be required to read your story, this comes as now it is time for my generation.
Sgt. R. Michael Graf, Vietnam, 67-68. BLT 2/4
Semper Fi brother! Job well done!
Cpl Garcia A USMC 87-91
L/CPL CLARK, HOTELCOMPANY 2/9 MARINES 3RD MARINE DIVISION 1968 VIETNAM. PROUD OF
YOU. YOU ARE AN HONOR TO THE CORP AND OUR COUNTRY. YOU MAKE ME PROUD TO BE A
MARINE.ONLY 72, BUT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK. SEMPER FI BROTHER
DAM MARINE. YOU HAVE A VERY BIG SET OF BALLS. SURE BIGGER THAN MINE. THANK YOU.
SEMPERR FI.
BRENDAN MC CARRON VIETNAM VET.
How come Veterans who get more recognize if they got Metals treatment for Veterans Health Care than a Disabled Veterans
Semper fi brother Bravo 3rd Tanks ’68 ’69