William Kyle Carpenter, a United States Marine, demonstrated remarkable bravery at the age of 21 during a firefight in Afghanistan in 2010. When a grenade landed near him and another Marine, Kyle instinctively leaped onto it, using his body as a shield to save his comrade’s life.
This selfless act resulted in devastating injuries for Kyle, including shrapnel wounds, shattered bones in his skull and face, a collapsed lung, and the loss of part of his jaw. Despite being declared dead upon arrival at Camp Bastion, Kyle miraculously survived.
Over the next two years, he underwent forty surgeries to address his injuries. For his extraordinary courage, Kyle was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama.
Today, Kyle is retired from military service and is pursuing a degree at the University of South Carolina. His story stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit and sacrifice of American heroes.
