The President Awards the Medal of Honor to Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter

Speaker: If you wish, please pray with me. Almighty God, we stop at the beginning of this historic event to ask for your presence in this place. Let his spirit move among all gathered here, as we

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him who demonstrated the virtues upon which this nation was founded. We would be reminded again of his grace that has allowed this country the freedoms that so many, like Corporal Kyle Carpenter, have had to defend. God, we ask that you share our gratitude for shaping the character of Corporal Carpenter. Through the love of his kind family and the support of his countless friends and mentors, we know our deep appreciation for the faithfulness of this Marine, who when faced that March day with the crucible of self-preservation or self-sacrifice, responded with courage or fearlessness, to safeguard the life of his friend Nick Euphraseo.

And now, as the nation's highest award for such commendable selflessness and bravery hangs around Corporal Carpenter's neck, surround him with the depth of your unwavering love. Sanctify your most intimate and unspoken thoughts, so that, as you carry the unfathomable weight of this

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, you may have the ability and courage to speak on behalf of and encourage those whose untold sacrifices and humble service require your firm, compassionate voice. We lift up in prayer all those who remain in danger around the world, and we pray for your eternal grace upon the families and friends of Marines, sailors, and soldiers.

Airmen and coast guardsmen who have given their lives serving this country. Grant your wisdom to those efforts. May all of us as Americans surrender to our divine guidance and follow examples like these, our heroes who loved country more than themselves and mercy more than life. God bless America. Amen. The President: Thank you all. Please take a seat. On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. The man you see before you today, Corporal William Kyle Carpenter, should not be alive today. Hand grenades are one of the most terrible weapons of war. They only weigh about a pound, but they're packed with TNT.

If one lands nearby, you only have a few seconds to seek cover. When it detonates, its fragments are thrown in all directions. And even at a distance, that hail of shrapnel can cause devastating injuries to the human body. Up close, it's almost certain death. But we are here because this man, this United States Marine, faced that terrible explosive power, that relentless force, with his own body, willingly and deliberately, to protect a fellow Marine. When that grenade exploded, Kyle Carpenter's body took the brunt of the explosion. His injuries were described as "catastrophic." He looked like he was going to die.

While he was being treated, he suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed three times. Doctors brought him back three times. Along with his parents, who call Kyle's survival "our miracle," we thank God that it happened. Because with that singular act of bravery, Kyle, you not only saved your brother in arms, but you displayed heroism in the blink of an eye that will inspire for generations a valor worthy of our nation's highest military decoration, the Medal honorary. Kyle and I had met before. During his long recovery at Walter Reed, he and some of our other wounded warriors came to the White House to celebrate the World Series champion St.

Louis Cardinals. Some of you may know: I'm a White Sox fan. (laughs) Kyle likes the Braves. So it was a difficult day for both of us. (laughs) But after the ceremony, Michelle and I had the opportunity to meet Kyle. And at that time he was still undergoing surgery. But he was up and walking, and he was working to become independent again, toward the man you see here today. And, Kyle, the main message we want to send is: welcome back. We are very proud to have you here. We spent some time not only with Kyle, but also with his wonderful family.

And anyone who has had the opportunity to know this young man knows that he will not find a better example of what he expects from an American or a Marine. Despite all the attention, he's still the same humble guy from Gilbert, South Carolina, population about 600; I guess today he only has a population of 590 something. (laughs) He's also currently at the University of South Carolina, "just a normal college student," he says, cheering on the Gamecocks. You'll notice that Kyle doesn't hide the scars from him; he is proud of them and the service they represent. And now he's telling me this, so I'm just quoting him: He says, "girls definitely like them." (laughs) So he's working an angle on this. (laughs) He wasn't sure if he should say that in front of mom. (laughs) But there's a quote there.

In addition to our many distinguished guests, I want to welcome those who made this man the Marine he is: Kyle's father, Jim; Kyle's lovely mother, Robin; and his brothers, Price and Peyton, one of whom will be joining Kyle in South Carolina, another Gamecock, and then we have one who will be at The Citadel. We also have Kyle's Marine brothers who served with him in Afghanistan and during his recovery. And I also want to welcome the members of the Medal of Honor Society, whose ranks Kyle joins today. Kyle and his fellow Marines served during the surge I ordered to Afghanistan at the beginning of my presidency.

Their mission was to expel the Taliban from their strongholds, protect the Afghan people and give them the opportunity to recover their communities. Kyle and his platoon were in Helmand province, in Marja, making their way through open fields and muddy canals, carrying their heavy backpacks even when the temperature could reach 115 degrees. In a small village, they turned a dusty compound into their base. Nearby insurgents responded with sniper fire, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. That morning, Kyle said, "our alarm clock was AK-47 fire." Some of the men stood by his bunk, preparing for another day. Some were warming up their MREs.

Some were in makeshift operations centers (a simple mud building) planning the day's patrols. And up on the roof, behind a circle of sandbags, two Marines took their positions: Kyle and Corporal Nicholas Eufrazio. The complex began to catch fire. Seeking shelter, Kyle and Nick lay on their backs behind those sandbags. And then the grenade fell with a thud, the pin already removed. I was about to explode. And Kyle doesn't remember what happened next. What we do know is that there, on that roof, not only was he with a fellow Marine, but he was with his best friend.

Kyle and Nick had met at training. In Afghanistan they patrolled together, day and night, a friendship forged by fire. Kyle says of Nick, "He was my point man and he loved him like a brother." As the grenade fell, other Marines in the compound looked up and saw what was happening. Kyle tried to stand up. He lunged for that grenade and then disappeared in the explosion. Keep in mind that at the time Kyle was only 21 years old. But in that moment, he fulfilled those words of Scripture: "Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." They found Kyle lying face down, directly over the area of ​​the explosion.

His helmet was riddled with holes. His equipment was melted. Part of his Kevlar vest flew away. One of the doctors who treated him later said that Kyle was "literally injured from the top of his head to his feet." And for a moment, Kyle was still conscious. His eyes were open but he couldn't see. Kyle remembers that "everything went white." And yet, even then, his thoughts were not centered on himself. One of the Marines who was there remembers how Kyle kept asking one question, and that was if Nick was okay. And then, as Kyle's strength was exhausted, he felt the end was approaching.

So, according to Kyle's recollections, "My last thought (was) to make peace with God. I asked for forgiveness. I was trying to make the most of my last seconds here on Earth." The Medal of Honor is awarded for his bravery on the battlefield. But today we also recognize Kyle Carpenter for his courage in the hard fight for recovery. Finally, Kyle woke up after five weeks in a coma. I want you to consider what Kyle has endured just to be here today: more than two and a half years in the hospital. Exhausting rehabilitation. Brain surgery to remove shrapnel from the head.

Nearly 40 surgeries to repair a collapsed lung, fractured fingers, a right arm shattered in more than 30 places, multiple skin grafts. He has a new prosthetic eye, a new jaw, new teeth...and an amazing smile. (laughs) And Kyle is the first to give credit elsewhere. His doctors in Bethesda, he says, "put me back together well." Today is also a reminder that in past wars, someone with injuries as severe as Kyle's likely would not have survived. Many of our warriors wounded in today's wars are alive not only thanks to remarkable technological advances, but primarily thanks to the extraordinary dedication and skill of our military and our VA medical professionals.

That's why we must continue to do everything in our power to give our wounded warriors and those who treat them the support they need. And I think this is a wonderful opportunity to ask doctors Debra Malone and Lauren Greer, and the rest of Kyle's medical team who are here, to stand up. I see his incredible work every time I visit Bethesda, every time I visit Walter Reed. It's pretty rare that you have a job where you know you're doing God's work every day. And they do an amazing job, so thank you. (applause) Thank you for the miracles you do for our wounded troops and veterans.

Now, Kyle says that he will wear this

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for all who serve and for those who did not return, and for those who still fight. So today we also honor two members of his team who made the ultimate sacrifice on that deployment: Kyle's friends, Acting Corporal Timothy M. Jackson of Corbin, Kentucky, and Acting Corporal Dakota R. Huse of Greenwood. , Louisiana. And our thoughts are also with the Marine Kyle saved that day, his brother Nick. I also had the opportunity to meet Nick almost two years after the explosion on one of my visits to Walter Reed. Nick also suffered serious injuries.

As a result of a traumatic brain injury, he was unable to speak for more than a year. He also underwent multiple surgeries. Today his recovery continues. He lives in his home with his family in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he witnesses this ceremony. Nick, on behalf of all of us, I want you to know that we also honor your sacrifice. Your perseverance is an inspiration. And just as Kyle was there for you, our nation will be there for you and his family as you grow stronger in the years to come. If any of our wounded warriors are looking for an example (let me amend that), if any American is looking for a model of the strength and resilience that defines us as a people, including this new 9/11 generation, I want you to consider Kyle.

After everything he's been through, he skis, he snowboards, he jumped out of a plane...with a parachute, thankfully. (Laughter) He trudged through a 6-mile mud run, completed the Marine Corps Marathon, and says he wants to participate in a triathlon. He is a motivational speaker, an advocate for his fellow wounded warriors. He is thinking about majoring in psychology so he can use his own experiences to help others. He got stellar ratings. And by the way, he's only 24 and says, "I'm just getting started." In other words, Kyle is a shining example of what our nation needs to encourage: these veterans coming home and then using their incredible skills and talents to keep our country strong.

And we can all learn from Kyle's example. As we prepare to read the quote, I would like to conclude with his own words: a message, I believe, for all Americans. "It took a life-changing event for me to truly appreciate the beautiful and wonderful life I have been blessed with. Please believe me, enjoy every day to the fullest, don't take life too seriously, always try to Take it into account, appreciate the small and simple things, be kind and help others, let those you love always know that you love them, and when things get tough, trust that there is a bigger plan and that you will be stronger thus." Very good message.

Corporal William Kyle Carpenter should not be alive today, but the fact that he is gives us reason to trust that there is indeed a greater plan. So God bless you, Kyle. God bless all who serve and protect the precious and wonderful life we ​​are blessed with. May God continue to bless and keep the United States of America strong. Always Fi. (applause) Military Assistant: The President of the United States, on behalf of the Congress, is pleased to present the Medal of Honor to Master Corporal William Kyle Carpenter, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of your life morebeyond the call of duty while serving as an automatic rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team One, 1st Marine Division (Forward), 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Corps (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on November 21, 2010.

Corporal Carpenter was a member of a platoon-sized coalition force comprised of two Marine rifle squads reinforced, associated with an Afghan National Army squadron. The platoon had established Patrol Base Dakota two days earlier in a small village in the Marja district to disrupt enemy activity and provide security for the local Afghan population. Corporal Carpenter and a fellow Marine were manning a rooftop security position on the perimeter of Patrol Base Dakota when the enemy began a daylight attack with hand grenades, one of which landed inside their position with sandbags. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Carpenter headed toward the grenade in an attempt to protect his fellow Marines from the deadly explosion.

When the grenade detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the explosion, seriously injuring him but saving the life of his fellow Marine. By his dauntless courage, his daring fighting spirit, and his unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death, Corporal Carpenter did great credit to himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. Joined. (applause) Speaker: Let us pray. Merciful God, may this ceremony serve as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with receiving the gift of the grace of freedom. And as we leave the sacred all and return to our daily lives, we pray that You will enable and empower us, that when called upon, we will embody the determined bravery of Corporal Kyle Carpenter and all of us who bring the Stars of Valor to this country.

It is in this strength of your name that we pray. Amen. The President: Well, that brings us to the conclusion of this ceremony, but not to the reception or the party. That's why I want to thank everyone again for being here, especially Kyle's wonderful family and his parents. And I understand that the food here at the White House is pretty good (laughs), so I already told Kyle's brothers that they should eat it. But that goes for everyone else too, and I think the drinks are free. I don't know what, although it's still early afternoon. thank you very much to all.

Let's give one more round of applause to our latest Medal of Honor recipient, Kyle Carpenter (applause)