COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - South Carolina legislators have honored a Marine who fell on a grenade to protect a buddy in Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter of Gilbert survived the blast with severe injuries. He stood confident and proud in the Senate chamber Wednesday as senators honored him with a resolution, telling Carpenter him he is the epitome of an American hero. "For a split second I was listening to everything and standing there, it was like I was listening at that stuff for someone else," said Carpenter.

'Humble' is one way to describe Carpenter, and you could add 'brave,' too. The Marine injured himself after saving his best friend from an attack in Afghanistan by jumping onto a live grenade that exploded.
   
His friend survived, but Kyle lost sight in his right eye and some feeling in his arm. "Every time I go to the bathroom, I stand there and I am beyond thankful that I can stand up," said Carpenter. "I have a lot of nerve damage with my hands and arms, but I have two fingers that work."

State Sen. Jake Knotts of Lexington presented the resolution, and said Carpenter plans to go to college to become a teacher and coach.

Carpenter has also been honored with a Purple Heart. He's also grateful for the support he's received since his return home to Gilbert. "People cook us food, bring us meals and that means the world to us," he said. "It helps mom. It means a lot that people are thinking about me."

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14219568

 

That's a Marine, God bless him!

Semper Fidelis, Leatherneck!

I thought jumping on a grenade rated a CMOH. If it doesn't,

it should.

post 223

zulu

Now this is legislation I can support!

I read in the local paper he has been recommended for a CMOH.  

That is a true Hero.  He should be given the CMOH.

At least a Star of some sort.  Holy crap.  



 

Very nice!  Glad the soldier is being honored, also glad he is alive after the blast.

Sounds like the body armor worked.

Good luck to him and mom.

No shit.  A purple heart?  

What an honorable man.  He makes us all proud!

MARINE not a Soldier.

Awards take time especially the higher ones.

Yut Yut.

Reckon I'm out of the loop. Is that supposed to mean something?

Motivator Jargon along the lines of OOORAAH

It's actually yut yut, oorah, semper fi devil dog.  Pretty funny video making fun of Marine aviators at Pcola.

What a hero. Good job Marine.

This.

Oh - it was also stated at the end of the video.

This just reinforces my belief that the ONLY way we can loose a conflict is to lack the political leadership and political will to win.  

There is no force on earth that can defeat the American fighting man and his war machine, well, other than our own leaders.  

Don't say it like that, we had a Marine in my unit get shot in the neck and he never received a PH...

that must be some serious body armor. glad the young man is doing well.

I just realized...

If he receives the Medal of Honor, he'll be the first living recipient since 1985.

Second.  Sergeant Giunta just received it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvatore_Giunta

Correct. Link

Ah my mistake.  I listed his date of birth instead of the date he received it. Second.  Sergeant Giunta was the man I was referring to.

I give thanks every day that there are still young men and women in this country who still believe in something greater than themselves.

I have always taken the phrase"The Greatest Generation" with a grain of salt. This Marine is no less great than those who fought in WW2. If you are willing to put it on the line for your country you ARE "The Greatest Generation".

God bless Marine; I'll buy you a beer, hell I'll buy you a whole keg, any day.