William “Kyle” Carpenter was born in Jackson, Mississippi on October 17, 1989. Kyle enlisted in the Marine Corps delayed entry program in February 2009, and completed Recruit Training in July 2009 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.

Since Kyle's discharge, he has enrolled as a full-time student at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, pursuing a degree in physical education where he has a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He modestly describes himself as “a normal college kid that has been through a lot and is just trying to live life to the fullest and figure everything out.”

Medal of Honor recipients Ty Carter (Afghanistan) and Robert E. O'Malley (Vietnam)

The Pentagon Police were Kyle's escorts for all of the days ceremonies.

The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States.

The Marine Band is entirely separate from its sister military band, the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps ("The Commandant's Own") and the 10 active duty Marine Corps field bands.

The Marine Band has been uniquely known as "The President's Own" since 1801 because of its historic connection to the President of the United States. The relationship between the Marine Band and the White House began on New Year's Day 1801, when President John Adams invited the band to perform at the Executive Mansion.
Later that year, Thomas Jefferson initiated the tradition of Marine Band performances by requesting that it perform at his inauguration. The Marine Band has played at every United States presidential inauguration since.
President Thomas Jefferson gave the title "The President's Own" in 1801.

March on the Colors.

CORPORAL WILLIAM KYLE CARPENTER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Medal of Honor Official Citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Automatic Rifleman with Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 21 November 2010. Lance Corporal Carpenter was a member of a platoon-sized coalition force, consisting of two reinforced Marine rifle squads partnered with an Afghan National Army squad.

The platoon had established Patrol Base Dakota two days earlier in a small village in the Marjah District in order to disrupt enemy activity and provide security for the local Afghan population. Lance Corporal Carpenter and fellow Marine Lance Corporal Nick Eufrazio were manning a rooftop security position on the perimeter of Patrol Base Dakota when the enemy initiated a daylight attack with hand grenades, one of which landed inside their sandbagged position. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Carpenter moved toward the grenade in an attempt to shield his fellow Marine from the deadly blast.

When the grenade detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the blast, severely wounding him, but saving the life of his fellow Marine. By his undaunted courage, bold fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death, Lance Corporal Carpenter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Michael Barrett presenting the Medal of Honor Flag to Commandant of the Marine Corps James F. Amos

Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter was presented with his Medal of Honor Flag at Head Quarters Marine Corps, 8th & I, Washington, DC

William “Kyle” Carpenter is the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient at the time he received it on June 20, 2014

Some of President Obama remarks about Kyle:
The Medal of Honor is presented for gallantry on the battlefield. But today, we also recognize Kyle Carpenter for his valor since in the hard fight for recovery. Eventually, Kyle woke up after five weeks in a coma. I want you to consider what Kyle has endured just to stand here today -- more than two and a half years in the hospital. Grueling rehabilitation. Brain surgery to remove shrapnel from his head. Nearly 40 surgeries to repair a collapsed lung, fractured fingers, a shattered right arm broken in more than 30 places, multiple skin grafts. He has a new prosthetic eye, a new jaw, new teeth -- and one hell of a smile.

Kyle is the first to give credit elsewhere. His doctors at Bethesda, he says, “put me back together well.” Today is also a reminder that in past wars, somebody with injuries as severe as Kyle’s probably wouldn’t have survived. So many of our wounded warriors from today’s wars are alive not just because of remarkable advances in technology, but primarily because of the extraordinary dedication and skill of our military and our VA medical professionals.

So we need to keep doing everything we can in our power to give our wounded warriors and those who treat them the support that they need. We see their amazing work every time I visit Bethesda, every time I visited Walter Reed. It’s pretty rare where you’ve got a job where you just know you’re doing God’s work every single day. And they do an incredible job, so thank you. Thank you for the miracles you work for our wounded troops and veterans.

It was an honor for me to met you today. Thank You Kyle Carpenter for Your Service to “Our Country”, Respectfully Patrick J. Hughes, USMC ChuLai 67-68

Kyle says he’ll wear this medal for all who serve and for those who didn’t make it back, and for those who struggle still. So today, we also honor two members of his team who made the ultimate sacrifice in that deployment: Kyle’s friends Lance Corporal Timothy M. Jackson of Corbin, Kentucky, and Lance Corporal Dakota R. Huse of Greenwood, Louisiana.

Retired Marine Corps General and the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace congratulates Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter

Leathernecks M/C Tom “Shoes” McCann with MOH Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter

Sergeant Major Angela M. Maness proposes a toast to Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter

A surprise guest after ceremonies to the staff NCO Club was MOH Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter who addressed those in attendance.

What a way to finish this Outstanding Day! Ooh-Ray, Semper Fi and thank you to Kyle Carpenter for Your Service to “Our Country”