Fellow Marines Call On Kyle Carpenter to Receive The Medal of Honor for Using His Body to Shield Others from Grenade Blast
- Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:07pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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Officials are still researching to determine what exactly happened at a guard post in a particularly dangerous region of southern Afganistan on November 21, 2010. Some Marines who were there say that their colleague Lance Cpl. William Kyle Carpenter sacrificed his body to shield others from an enemy grenade blast. Carpenter survived the blast, but officials are still trying to piece together the details of what exactly happened that day.
The Marine Corps Times reports that Carpenter and Lance Cpl. Nick Eufrazio were at a guard post near Marjah, Afghanistan, in November 2010 when insurgents chucked a hand grenade on a roof where the two Marines were posting security.
The case is complicated for Carpenter says he doesn’t remember what happened and Eufrazio has been tragically unable to speak due to brain damage suffered as a complication from the incident. All of the Marines interviewed for the Marine Corps Times story were close when the grenade exploded, but could only hear it and respond. However, several readers of the story who claim to have been there have reached out to the Times since the story was first reported, claiming that Carpenter deserves the Medal of Honor.
LCpl Jared Lilly writes:
“First off there is no ‘-or not?’. I was there that day, I was the first one on the roof and I saw the aftermath. There is no doubt in my mind that Kyle jumped on that grenade. Grenades push everything away when they blow up not draw them to the blast seat. Kyle’s upper body was positioned directly on top of the blast seat. Thats the kinda of guy that Kyle was, and Nick was like his little brother. Kyle would have done anything to protect him and he did, to try and associate any doubt with that is shameful. Kyle commited his body to making the ultimate sacrifice it just wasn’t his time. He didn’t try to throw the grenade away and lose a hand, he didn’t try to cover it with a kevlar, he covered that grenade just as he approached everything in life, with everything he had. I didn’t need to be an eye witness to what happened to know what happened that day, Kyle did everything in his power to save his friends life and did.”
HM3 Christopher Frend says:
“As the corpsman at the base. I was working on carpenter, the extent of his injuries sustained that day it’s only proof enough that this young man rolled onto the grenade that day. If he had not done it the injuries he should of received would of been on the left side of his body not the right. as of the no witness part. A whole squad was there to witness this event and if that’s not enough then the science and physics behind it will prove it true. any one that deals with explosives can tell you that grenades blow up…….they don’t blow down. Kyle will always be a hero.”
The Times reports that the state legislature in Carpenter’s native South Carolina honored him with a resolution claiming he “took the full blast from an enemy hand grenade in seeking to save a fellow Marine.” Carpenter and Eufrazio are the only two eyewitnesses to what happened that day on the outskirts of Marjah. The Corps are continuing to investigate the incident, officials tell the Times, and it’s unclear whether all of their questions ever will be answered.
The Times reports that since the incident Carpenter has become an ambassador, of sorts, for the Marine Corps and its wounded warriors, inspiring family, friends and fellow Marines with his undying optimism in the face of a difficult recovery.
Carpenter describes his ordeal to the Times:
(H/T: Business Insider)
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Comments (57)
woodyenglish
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:31amWe Citizens of The U.S.A. will never be able to properly enough thank our Service Women and Men for what they do. It is an absolute disgusting situation that their Esprit DE Corps is not a MANDATORY attitude for all of our politicians. That being said, perhaps The Corps needs a different group within themselves to investigate this incident. The statement that “perhaps all necessary info will never be discovered ” is an unacceptable and unprofessional response to this situation. Is an incomplete attitude what The Corps teaches today for way to respond to ANY situation ? Methinks not. I believe it’s time for them to research and discover all that is necessary, and ASK OUT LOUD AND LONG EVERYWHERE for all info necessary to conclude this matter. The Corps disservices it’s own self respect until that conclusion.
Report Post »Al Gator
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 7:05pmYour post is mind boggling jibberish.
Report Post »tomcat3112
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:45amAs long as it says United States Marine Corps there will always be a United States of America.From a wounded warrior to a wounded warrior SEMPER FI!
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 10:18amLet’s bring our troops home to patrol our borders and build them here.. Ten years now? Guess people’s memories are short..another Viet Nam..and for what? Who’ making the dough?
Report Post »ddg7
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:43amGiving Kyle the ‘Medal of Honor’ is not enough but it’s a good start! God Bless our troops!
Report Post »ericladouceur43
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:31ama true hero
Report Post »retiredintexas
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 8:58am“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem.” Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985
Semper Fi.
Report Post »Col. HawK
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 8:22amThere’s a man that will give his life, for you…We are not worthy!….(Kneeling)
Report Post »BLACKDIAMONDSKIER
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 8:59amJohn 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
This man did not die, however he didn’t know the outcome when he jumped on the grenade.
Honor is not given or taken away. You either have it..or you don’t. God Bless America.
Report Post »WOUNDED WARRIOR
barstooltestpilot
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 6:21pmPetty Officer Michael A. Monsoor did exactly the same thing in Iraq. Sadly he did not survive and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his sacrifice. This Marine deserves no less an honor.
Report Post »HOLEDUPINTHEWILDERNESS
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 3:28amThank you Lance Cpl William Kyle Carpenter for your service and morals. You are a hero and I am glad that I read your story. Semper Fi.
Report Post »Puppy
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 5:12amBless you, you are a true hero.
Report Post »LovinUSA
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 3:05amGod Bless you Kyle and Thank You , from the bottom of my heart for your unselfish dedication to OUR Country and ALL Americans, your people, I can only wish that the man in OUR oval office and the house and the senate could be this dedicated to OUR Country.
Report Post »AceClaymore
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 2:56amThis is just part of why 1234 I love the Marine Corp
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:54amIts nice to get the medal but we all know what he did.
Report Post »jeezpeeps
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:37amSemper Fi! Thanks for your sacrifice Marine. Medal of Honor will be yours… you have definately earned it. We love you.
Report Post »TiocFaidhArLa
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 12:07amAnd you all want someone who will send poor boys like this to die in Iran…shameful
Report Post »onebigassmistakeamerica
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 3:24amI think you are shameful for making such a broad assumption. Obama is rattling the war sabres as we speak.
Report Post »GarryOwen5
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 5:28amThis is about the heroic, selfless act of a Marine….not about you or your politics.
Report Post »retiredintexas
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 8:19amTIOCFAIDHARLA, did you ever consider that your mother raised an IDIOT?
USMC – VIET VET – 1967-1968
Marines serve so you can enjoy the freedom you have been blessed to enjoy!
Semper Fi
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:01am@t———arla
Report Post »You are one unsat lost soul.
Semper Fi Marines
ohmy2u
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 11:52amGod bless you Kyle! You truly know what the Bible means when it talks about laying down your life for your friends. You were willing to die to save your buddies! WOW! Jesus was not only willing, but did die for all of us, not to save us temporarily. but eternally! Jesus is shining through Kyles’ selfless actions…
Report Post »A true patriot is already honorable, but it should be recognized! His badge of honor is his heart.
http://www.izoominews.blogspot.com http://www.ohmy2u.blogspot.com
Clubber1
Posted on January 30, 2012 at 8:25amWariors know the costs and blessings of freedom in a way the protected will never understand.
Report Post »T__La should just follow Lincoln’s advice: Remain silent and only be thought a fool instead of speaking and removing all doubt.
SteveSD
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 11:58pmI’ll just say AMEN to every sentiment here. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. This Marine has earned our highest honor, and then some.
Report Post »HenrysEight
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 11:54pmWhat a true patriot!! This marine did what he did for his fellow marines. That kind of split second decision and commitment has to be made before it ever happens. That is what makes him a true hero. He never thought twice about doing what he had to do to save the lives of others. God Bless Him!!!
Report Post »newspapertaxis
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 11:45pmWow!! God Bless You Son. There is hope for this country.
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 11:42pmDefinition of honor!
Report Post »Twinspeedr
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 1:06amYou know, it’s probably not the best idea to presume to speak for God there tough-guy…
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 11:35pmWow! One word- HERO!
Report Post »gemmeri
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 8:34pmI am honored to have read about the brave deeds of these individuals & I thank them for defending us & our interests so I can stay home safely to raise my sons. Gentlemen, it’s been a real privilege even though I do not know you personally. Remember that you are appreciated. I only wish there was something I could realistically do for you to show my support & gratitude. Semper Fi ’til the day I die. Good luck in all things, men & I wish the injured a speedy recovery.
Report Post »ARSILHOUETTE
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 8:23pmI bet if you had a Marine, a Athest and a Muslim in a room full of people and someone threw in a gernade you know who would do the right thing….no greater gift….
Report Post »Doctor Nordo
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 1:09amWhat about a Muslim Marine or an atheist Marine?
Report Post »buryweymier
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 9:46pmTo Doctor Nordo – - the answer is the same.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 7:56pmGod bless Lance Cpl. William Kyle Carpenter.
Report Post »Boomer52
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:55pm4.0 Work Grunt!
From an OLD Fleet Sailor
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 7:30pmAgreed – that is what being a Marine is all about; others come ahead of self. God keep all of our armed force members, here at home and abroad safe and whole.
Report Post »Conservative New Yorker
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:53pmGod Bless you LCpl Carpenter. Thank you for your service and tremendous sacrifice.
As baddoggy said- Semper Fi, Marine…
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:47pmGOD BLESS you, Kyle Carpenter. Dear LORD, we thank YOU for Kyle and the man he is. We need more, many, many, many more like him
Thank you, Kyle for your service. You are our MEDAL OF HONOR recipient!
Report Post »chips1
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:23pmI would hope that the medal won’t be awarded until an American President is in office. Don’t let Obama touch anything!!!!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:18pmGod knows. I am sure for this Marine it is all that matters..Semper Fi…
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