Right now, future Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter is holding an AMA-style session over at the Marines Facebook page, inviting users to send in their questions over the next hour so he can answer them in real time. Carpenter will receive the military’s highest honor Thursday for shielding a friend from a live grenade in 2012.
Why is this incredibly cool?
Gannett
First, Carpenter will be one of only two living Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients from the post 9/11 era. This is a big piece of Marine Corps history.
Second, hearing from a living hero of this caliber at all is rare; historically, some 60 percent of MOH awards are posthumous, meaning the service members who received the honor were killed in the line of duty.
Third, Carpenter has distinguished himself in a very short time as the kind of guy who has something to say worth listening to. Since he was wounded by the grenade in 2010, he has run the Marine Corps Marathon, completed a tough mudder, and donated his time to wounded warriors and other worthy causes. As Carpenter says himself in a recently released Marine Corps video, he’s just getting started.
So tune in and ask a question. We’ll feature the best exchanges back here after the Q-and-A finishes up at 4.
27 Comments
You are the stuff of Marine Corps legend and history. Thank you and Semper Fi, Brother.
What direction would you like to see our Young Marines focus on for the future of our Warrior Corps.
Do you have any suggestions for civilians on how to be supportive of active and ex military personnel? Are there any particular programs that you recommend?
Me personally as a female i want to go into the Marines… But the people around me ( family & friends) considers i don’t go to the Marines they suggest i join another branch besides the Marines… The Marine Corps gives me a feeling i’ve never had before, im highly motivated and truly dedicated to the Marines even though im in High school…. Me asking you personally what would be one thing you could tell me before i make my decision,joining the Marines….
You put more history in the Marine Corps,Thank you sir… SIMPER FI!!!!!!
Kyle Carpenter,
It’s warriors like you that prove good people still exist in this world.
Semper Fidelis, brother.
What would you like to tell all the moms and dads back home loving and worrying about their military sons and daughters?
So proud of you ,
Military mom to four Military officers including a Marine 🙂
Are you married? If not, would you consider marrying a “fan”? Semper Fi
You are true hero! To what other causes do you devote your time? Do you plan to make a career in the Marine Corps? What was your time in the marathon?
Thank you brother, oorah.
1salute hero!
First off i would like to say, Thank you for your service to this country sir.
what do you think someone who wants to join the armed forces should do if their parents don’t want them to join?
You definetly deserve to be one marines learn about in boot camp. Welcome to the hall of greats with those like chesty and Dan Daley. Semper fi brotha hope to meet you one day.
Do you view what happened to you as a blessing in disguise? I was in a fire that burned off my face and all the skin from my chest. At first I was angry, now I have worked very hard on helping others and being a mentor. Do you think if it hadn’t happened you would have had the clarity and strength to do so many wonderful life changing things that you are now?
Thank you for your hard work, courage and hope
I do not want to ask anything , I just wanted to say thank you my brother ! As a former active duty Marine you make me proud to claim you as my brother !!
I first just wanted to say thank you for your service and second ask you how we can help the men and women coming back home.
SEMPER FI MARINE
Thank you for your service to our Country!!
May God Bless and Keep you!
Thank you for your service, MARINE! Semper FI! God Bless…
how do you make the pain stop, i only ask because mine never did and i id like to know how you did it
I have no question for you Kyle. I just want to Thank You from the bottom of my heart for your service. Our Countries service men and women and their families are the best of the best Americans. And their unselfishness for the people in our Country is never taken for granted in our home. I have the honor of knowing a WWII vet, and I was able to give him a WWII baseball cap and thank him for his service. God Bless you and your family for all you have sacrificed and your bravery for our Country.
Warmly,
Dawn , Jim , Katie and Alex
Kyle, you are the epitome of the definition of a Marine. You bring Pride and Honor to our Corps to every corner of the Globe. I am a 100% disabled combat wounded 2 tour Vietnam Vet who survived everything from the MEB landing in1965, to the Tet offensive in ’68, as well as 81 days at Khe Sanh, and I dare say, I couldn’t hold your jock strap. I would love to know you and swap some stories of our beloved Corps. I honor and salute you, my little brother. Semper Fi Always. Oohrah!
May The Lord keep you safe. Thank you for all the heroic deeds you have done for our country. You exemplify all that the Marines are. Semper Fi Dear one.
I admire your character as a man for what you did. Is there anything we can do for you or your fellow soldiers who may feel forgotten? You are a great looking kid (I can say kid because I’m ancient), the people you love and care about are blessed
Proud to call you a Brother and fellow Gamecock Fan. Semper Fi and God Bless!! Hope to run into you at Billy Brice.The tailgate is on Me!!!
What can we do for you Kyle?
Dear Sir: No questions, only gratitude. Thank you for your personification of everything a soldier and a man should be. Thank you for my freedom, sir. I have a niece that just won her high school state tournament in softball. Everything that we know and love has been provided for us and defended by men like you. May God bless you always, Mr. Carpenter. I know that he will. Thank you seems so inadequate, but from the bottom of our hearts – – thank you. Prayers from Tennessee.
I just wanted to say that I admire you so much for what you did for your fellow brothers! You are a true hero and I love you… Umm, I mean, you’re awesome. Are you single? If you are, WHY? Scratch that.. I wish I can meet you one day. I’d hug you tight aaaaaaand tell everyone how much you are AWESOMELY amazing.
I hope this made you laugh a bit. BUT All kidding aside, here’s my question,,, How do you feel about Iraq’s war and especially the Iraqis who fled their country to find a better life here in the US?
Keep smiling that gorgeous smile of yours!!!!!!!!!!!
Semper Fidelis my friend 🙂