Former Marine to Receive Medal of Honor

A former Marine Corps corporal will receive the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama on 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.