Dakota Meyer is a former United States Marine Corps Corporal who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States, for his extraordinary acts of bravery during a critical engagement in Afghanistan. Meyer was born on June 26, 1988, in Columbia, Kentucky.

On September 8, 2009, Corporal Meyer was serving as a scout sniper with Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, part of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. He and his team were mentoring Afghan soldiers when they came under heavy enemy fire from well-fortified positions.

Without regard for his own safety, Meyer repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to provide effective suppressive fire and aid in the evacuation of wounded Afghan and American personnel. He voluntarily entered the kill zone on multiple occasions, disregarding his own life while braving intense enemy fire to locate and evacuate fellow Marines and Afghan soldiers.

During the course of the battle, Meyer recovered the bodies of fallen comrades under relentless enemy fire, displaying exceptional courage and determination. He personally accounted for the evacuation of 13 U.S. and 23 Afghan soldiers, despite facing overwhelming odds and constant danger.

Meyer’s actions in the face of grave danger were crucial in turning the tide of the battle and preventing further loss of life. His extraordinary heroism, unwavering commitment, and selfless actions exemplified the highest standards of military service and upheld the values of the Marine Corps.

For his exceptional courage and selflessness, Corporal Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony on September 15, 2011. Meyer’s actions continue to inspire and serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Marine Corps. He is a true hero, and his dedication to his fellow Marines and Afghan soldiers reflects the finest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009. Corporal Meyer maintained security at a patrol rally point while other members of his team moved on foot with two platoons of Afghan National Army and Border Police into the village of Ganjgal for a pre-dawn meeting with village elders. Moving into the village, the patrol was ambushed by more than 50 enemy fighters firing rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and machine guns from houses and fortified positions on the slopes above. Hearing over the radio that four U.S. team members were cut off, Corporal Meyer seized the initiative. With a fellow Marine driving, Corporal Meyer took the exposed gunner’s position in a gun-truck as they drove down the steeply terraced terrain in a daring attempt to disrupt the enemy attack and locate the trapped U.S. team. Disregarding intense enemy fire now concentrated on their lone vehicle, Corporal Meyer killed a number of enemy fighters with the mounted machine guns and his rifle, some at near point blank range, as he and his driver made three solo trips into the ambush area. During the first two trips, he and his driver evacuated two dozen Afghan soldiers, many of whom were wounded. When one machine gun became inoperable, he directed a return to the rally point to switch to another gun-truck for a third trip into the ambush area where his accurate fire directly supported the remaining U.S. personnel and Afghan soldiers fighting their way out of the ambush. Despite a shrapnel wound to his arm, Corporal Meyer made two more trips into the ambush area in a third gun-truck accompanied by four other Afghan vehicles to recover more wounded Afghan soldiers and search for the missing U.S. team members. Still under heavy enemy fire, he dismounted the vehicle on the fifth trip and moved on foot to locate and recover the bodies of his team members. Meyer’s daring initiative and bold fighting spirit throughout the 6-hour battle significantly disrupted the enemy’s attack and inspired the members of the combined force to fight on. His unwavering courage and steadfast devotion to his U.S. and Afghan comrades in the face of almost certain death reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.