5 Years Ago, A Young Veteran Threw Himself On A Grenade To Save A Friend. This Is Him Today
By
Michael Avery in
Feel Good
On 15th December 2015
There are many ways we show bravery and courage. It could be by standing up for yourself or another person or by fighting for what you believe in. For one young man, he showed bravery AND courage by putting his life on the line to save that of a comrade.
Some could say it was his duty as a marine, but whatever situation you are in, duty or not, to knowingly put yourself in a position that could humiliate you, torture you, or kill you is bravery.
Staring your fears right in the face and taking them on with the faith that you will come out on top is true courage and bravery.
#1 William Kyle Carpenter, better known as Kyle Carpenter, was 19 years old when he enlisted in the Marine Corps delayed entry program. In July 2010 at the age of 21 and rank of Lance Corporal, he was deployed to Afghanistan.
#2 November 21st was the day Carpenter would show immense courage in the face of death. Carpenter threw himself on a live enemy grenade to protect the life of fellow marine Lance Corporal Nick Eufrazio.
#3 Eufrazio suffered a traumatic brain injury in the explosion. His skull had to be rebuilt and there was damage to his frontal lobe. Doctors told him he would never speak again but two years after the injury, he could talk again.
#4 As for Carpenter, his injuries covered a more extensive range of his body.
#5 The explosion left Carpenter with broken bones in his face, a missing right eye, damage to his right arm, shrapnel wounds, a depressed skull fracture that required brain surgery, a collapsed right lung, and the loss of a third of his lower jaw.
#6 "My body was torn apart by an enemy hand grenade ... upon arriving at Camp Bastion, I was labeled P.E.A. — patient expired on arrival. I flat-lined at Walter Reed. The enemy killed me. I came back."
#7 Two and a half years in the hospital and 40 surgeries later, Carpenter was on the way to recovery.
#8 He was given the Purple Heart Medal, "awarded to members of the armed forces who are wounded by an instrument of war at the hands of the enemy." He also received the highest military honor in the USA.
#9 On June 19th, 2014, Carpenter became the eighth living recipient of the Medal of Honor presented to him at the White House by President Obama. This is awarded to those who showed personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
#10 Carpenter says he is just getting started on his journey of recovery five years after the incident. He has run marathons in honor of fellow veterans and those who have given their lives for others. He's gone skydiving and is spending time with family and friends. He was given a second chance at life and he isn't letting any of it go to waste.
#11 Carpenter enrolled in school at the University of South Carolina for International Studies after retiring as corporal due to his wounds. He has transformed since the accident, not only physically, but with life experiences and moments he gets to cherish after he was so close to death.
#12 Carpenter has become an advocate for wounded servicemen and women, as well as a motivational speaker.
#13 "I'm still here and kicking and, you know, I have all my limbs so you'll never hear me complain."
#14 Carpenter continues to live his life to its absolute fullest.
