Medal of Honor Recipient Saved 36 Marines, and Afghan soldiers During A 6 Hour Combat!
Dakota Louis Meyer was born on June 26, 1988, in Columbia, Kentucky, and grew up on his father’s farm. From a young age, Meyer enjoyed hunting and playing football. Inspired by his grandfather, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 2006. He trained as an infantryman and sniper. Meyer’s life took a remarkable turn when, on September 8, 2009, during the War in Afghanistan. He was recognized for his heroic actions and made him the second-youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor. His actions in the Battle of Ganjgal, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, not only saved 36 lives but also left a lasting legacy in military history.
The aftermath of war and his transition to a civilian life was far from easy. He struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and his own life was facing a threat. However, his journey inspired many across the globe. Let’s dive into the details of this legend and hero.
The Battle of Ganjgal
The Battle of Ganjgal was a tragic ambush that took place in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on September 8, 2009. Meyer and his team were conducting a routine patrol when they were ambushed by over 50 Taliban insurgents. These fighters attacked U.S. and Afghan forces from fortified positions in the mountains surrounding the village of Ganjgal. The terrain was unforgiving, with steep slopes and minimal cover, putting the U.S. and Afghan troops at a severe disadvantage.
Meyer, serving as a turret gunner with Embedded Training Team 2-8, found himself and his team in a desperate situation. Over the radio, they heard that four of their comrades. Fellow Marines and a Navy Corpsman—were trapped and surrounded by insurgents. Meyer asked for permission to go in and rescue them. However, he was told “no” four times due to the intense danger. Despite the orders, Meyer felt a strong responsibility to save his friends and made the difficult decision to defy the orders. “You don’t leave anyone behind,” Meyer said, reflecting on his motivation.
“You don’t leave anyone behind.”
Dakota Louis Meyer
Defying Orders
Meyer and his partner, Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez-Chavez, knew the risks they were taking by going into the kill zone. They hopped into a Humvee, with Rodriguez-Chavez driving and Meyer manning the turret. As they drove through heavy fire into the combat zone, Meyer took on the insurgents with machine guns and rifles, eliminating several at close range. Despite the overwhelming enemy fire focused on them, they made multiple trips to rescue as many soldiers as possible.
During their first two trips into the ambush area, Meyer and Rodriguez-Chavez managed to evacuate about two dozen Afghan soldiers, many of whom were wounded. Meyer also helped recover the bodies of four fallen Marines: 1st Lt. Michael Johnson, Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Wayne Johnson Jr., Gunnery Sgt. Aaron Kenefick, and Navy Corpsman James Layton. After their third trip into the kill zone, their Humvee was riddled with bullets and shrapnel, but Meyer’s determination never wavered.
By the end of the battle, Meyer had saved 36 soldiers, a combination of U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers.
“Because of your honor, 36 men are alive today.”
President Barack Obama would later say at Meyer’s Medal of Honor ceremony.
The Medal of Honor
Meyer’s actions during the Battle of Ganjgal were nothing short of extraordinary. He became the first living Marine in nearly 40 years to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. The process of his nomination was kept relatively quiet until Marine Corps Times reported that Meyer was the unnamed nominee, later confirmed by CNN. On September 15, 2011, Meyer received the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House.
When a staff member from President Obama’s team contacted Meyer to arrange the ceremony, Meyer made a humble request. He asked if he could have a beer with the president before the event. President Obama agreed, and the two shared a beer on the White House patio before the ceremony. Meyer accepted the award not for personal recognition, but to honor his fallen comrades. He insisted that simultaneous services be held to commemorate 1st Lt. Michael Johnson, Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Wayne Johnson Jr., Gunnery Sgt. Aaron Kenefick, and Navy Corpsman James Layton.
Meyer was the first living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan, with only two other Marines from those conflicts receiving the honor: Cpl. Jason Dunham, posthumously, in 2007, and Cpl. Kyle Carpenter in 2014.
After the Battle: Dakota Meyer’s Life and Struggles
Transitioning to civilian life was not easy for Meyer. He left active duty in June 2010 and, like many veterans, struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a moment of despair, Meyer attempted to take his own life, but the gun he used was unloaded. Thankfully, he sought treatment for PTSD and became a vocal advocate for other veterans facing similar struggles.
Meyer has written two books about his experiences: Into the Fire and The Way Forward. These works offer both personal insights and life lessons drawn from the battlefield. In addition to his writing, Meyer advocates for the legalization of medical cannabis, believing that it can help veterans suffering from PTSD without the risks of opioid addiction. He co-authored an op-ed in 2018 calling for the legalization of medical cannabis in Kentucky.
Controversies and Public Perception
Meyer’s public life has not been without controversy. In 2011, he filed a lawsuit against his former employer, BAE Systems, alleging that they retaliated against him for opposing a weapons deal with Pakistan. Meyer claimed that BAE employees ridiculed his Medal of Honor and accused him of being mentally unstable. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court.
There was also some criticism surrounding the accuracy of accounts related to the Ganjgal battle. A McClatchy news article questioned whether some details of Meyer’s heroism had been exaggerated. However, the article made it clear that Meyer’s bravery and his worthiness for the Medal of Honor were never in doubt.
Conclusion
Dakota Meyer’s story is one of extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, and resilience. His actions during the Battle of Ganjgal saved 36 soldiers and allowed four fallen comrades to be brought home with dignity. Meyer’s life after the military, marked by personal struggles and advocacy for veterans, is a testament to the ongoing challenges that service members face even after the battles are over. Meyer’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of war and the importance of supporting those who serve.
For anyone inspired by Meyer’s journey, consider supporting veteran organizations or learning more about PTSD treatment options for those who continue to bear the emotional scars of combat.
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