Dakota Meyer

Dakota Louis Meyer (born June 26, 1988)[1] is a retired United States Marine. A veteran of the War in Afghanistan, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal on 8 September 2009, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Meyer is the second-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, the third living recipient for either the Iraq War or the War in Afghanistan,[2] and the first living United States Marine in 38 years to be so honored.[3]

Dakota Meyer
Sergeant Meyer in November 2011
Born (1988-06-26) June 26, 1988
Columbia, Kentucky
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service2006–2010
RankSergeant
UnitEmbedded Training Team 2-8
3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines
Battles/warsIraq War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Heart
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Spouse(s)
​
(
m. 2016; div. 2018)
Other workInto the Fire (2012)

Early life and education

Meyer was born and raised in Columbia, Kentucky, the son of Felicia "Killy" Gilliam and Michael Meyer.[4][5] In 2006, after graduation from Green County High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at a recruiting station in Louisville, Kentucky and completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.[4]

Military service
Meyer in Afghanistan

Meyer deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in 2007 as a scout sniper with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. He gained national attention for his actions in Afghanistan during his second deployment in Kunar Province with Embedded Training Team 2-8.[6][7]

On 8 September 2009, near the village of Ganjgal, Meyer learned that three Marines and a Navy Corpsman, who were members of Meyer's squad and his friends, were missing after being ambushed by a group of insurgents. Under enemy fire, Meyer entered an area known to be inhabited by insurgents and eventually found the four missing servicemen dead and stripped of their weapons, body armor and radios. There he saw a Taliban fighter trying to take the bodies. The fighter tackled Meyer, and after a brief scuffle, Meyer grabbed a baseball-sized rock and beat the fighter to death.[8] With the help of Afghan soldiers, he moved the bodies to a safer area where they could be extracted.[9] During his search, Meyer "personally evacuated 12 friendly wounded and provided cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape likely death at the hands of a numerically superior and determined foe."

Four U.S. servicemen died in the ambush:

  • 1st Lt. Michael Johnson, 25, of Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • Staff Sgt. Aaron Kenefick, 30, of Roswell, Georgia
  • Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Wayne Johnson Jr., 31, of Columbus, Georgia
  • Hospital Corpsman Third Class James R. Layton, 22, of Riverbank, California.

A fifth man, Army SFC Kenneth W. Westbrook, 41, of Shiprock, New Mexico, later died from his wounds.[10]

Meyer stands at attention after receiving the Medal of Honor from U.S. President Barack Obama during the Medal of Honor presentation ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 15 September 2011.

On 6 November 2010, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Amos, told reporters during a visit to Camp Pendleton, California that a living United States Marine had been nominated for the Medal of Honor. Two days later, Marine Corps Times, an independent newspaper covering Marine Corps operations, reported that the unnamed person was Meyer, citing anonymous sources. CNN confirmed the story independently two days later.[11]

On 9 June 2011, the Marine Corps announced that two other Marines on Meyer's team in Ganjgal would receive the Navy Cross, the second-highest award for valor a Marine can receive. Capt. Ademola D. Fabayo and Staff Sgt. Juan J. Rodriguez-Chavez were recognized for their roles in retrieving the bodies of the fallen Marines and Corpsman. Before Meyer began searching for the missing servicemen on foot, Rodriguez-Chavez drove a gun truck into the kill zone with Fabayo manning the truck's machine gun.[12]

When President Barack Obama's staff called Meyer to set up a time for the president to inform him that his case for the Medal of Honor had been approved, they were told Meyer was working at his construction job and were asked to call again during his lunch break.[13]

Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on 15 September 2011.[14] When a White House staffer contacted Meyer to arrange the ceremony, Meyer asked if he could have a beer with the president.[15] He received an invitation to the White House for the afternoon before the ceremony. Meyer also requested that when he was honored, simultaneous commemorative services should be held at other associated locations to honor the memory of his colleagues who died or were mortally wounded during the ambush and his rescue attempts.[16]

Civilian

A year after the Battle of Ganjgal, after drinking at a friend's house, Meyer attempted to commit suicide using a Glock pistol kept in his truck's glove compartment. The gun was not loaded. Meyer later sought help for post-traumatic stress disorder.[17]

In September 2011, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear bestowed upon Meyer the honorary title of Kentucky Colonel during an event in his hometown of Greensburg in which Meyer served as grand marshal.[18]

Meyer filed a lawsuit against his former employer, defense contractor BAE Systems, alleging the company and his supervisor punished him for his opposition to a weapons sale to Pakistan.[19] The lawsuit claimed that BAE Systems ridiculed Meyer's Medal of Honor, called him mentally unstable and suggested he had a drinking problem, thereby costing him a job.[20] On 15 December 2011, BAE announced that the parties resolved their dispute out of court.[21]

On 14 December 2011, McClatchy news outlets published an article which questioned the actual number of lives Meyer saved. The article stated that "crucial parts that the Marine Corps publicized were untrue, unsubstantiated or exaggerated," but that Meyer "by all accounts deserved his nomination."[22]

Meyer and Bing West wrote the book Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War, about the Battle of Ganjgal. It was published on 25 September 2012.[23] In the book, Meyer makes a case for Army Captain William D. Swenson to be awarded the Medal of Honor;[17] Swenson had criticized Army officers at the nearby Forward Operating Base Joyce for not providing fire support, the resulting political fallout not conducive to awarding him the medal. Those same officers were later cited following a military investigation for "negligent" leadership leading "directly to the loss of life" on the battlefield.[24] Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor on 15 October 2013.[25]

In 2013, Meyer participated in the fourth season of Maximum Warrior,[26] a TV competition among U.S.-military operators, featuring 10 military-inspired challenges. Meyer, eliminated on the eighth episode, "Night Hostage Rescue", airing 26 November 2013, finished in fourth place. As of 2015, Meyer sits on the advisory board for VETPAW,[27] an organization of U.S. military veterans dedicated to protecting African wildlife.

Meyer is a proponent of legalizing the medical use of cannabis, which he says can help veterans suffering from PTSD while also reducing usage of opioid drugs.[28] In March 2018, Meyer co-authored an op-ed calling for medical cannabis to be legalized in Kentucky.[29]

Personal life

On March 13, 2015, Meyer became engaged to Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[30] On 18 May 2015, Sarah and Bristol Palin announced that the wedding, originally scheduled for May 23, 2015, had been called off.[31] On June 25, 2015, Bristol Palin announced that she was pregnant for a second time.[32] She gave birth to a daughter, Sailor Grace, on December 23, 2015.[33] On 6 January 2016, People reported that Meyer is the biological father of the child, and that Meyer had filed legal documents asking for joint legal and physical custody of the newborn as well as child support from Palin.[34] In March 2016, an interim joint legal and physical custody agreement was reached between Palin and Meyer.[35] On 23 May 2016, Palin and Meyer were married.[36] In December 2016, Palin announced that she was expecting her third child, the second with Meyer.[37] On May 8, 2017, she gave birth to a daughter they named Atlee Bay.[38] On January 29, 2018, Meyer filed for divorce from Palin, citing a "conflict of personalities".[39] On August 1, 2018, Palin confirmed that her divorce from Meyer was finalized.[40]

Books
  • Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War[23]

Honors and awards

Military awards
1st row
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Combat V
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
2nd row
Combat Action Ribbon
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 1 bronze campaign stars
3rd row
Iraq Campaign Medal w/ campaign star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ bronze star
NATO Service Medal (ISAF)
Badges Expert marksmanship badge for rifle (3rd award) Expert marksmanship badge for pistol (2nd award)
1 service stripe (not here pictured)

Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor citation


"The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

CORPORAL DAKOTA L. MEYER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009. Corporal Meyer maintained security at a patrol rally point while other members of his team moved on foot with two platoons of Afghan National Army and Border Police into the village of Ganjgal for a pre-dawn meeting with village elders. Moving into the village, the patrol was ambushed by more than 50 enemy fighters firing rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and machine guns from houses and fortified positions on the slopes above. Hearing over the radio that four U.S. team members were cut off, Corporal Meyer seized the initiative. With a fellow Marine driving, Corporal Meyer took the exposed gunner's position in a gun-truck as they drove down the steeply terraced terrain in a daring attempt to disrupt the enemy attack and locate the trapped U.S. team. Disregarding intense enemy fire now concentrated on their lone vehicle, Corporal Meyer killed a number of enemy fighters with the mounted machine guns and his rifle, some at near point blank range, as he and his driver made three solo trips into the ambush area. During the first two trips, he and his driver evacuated two dozen Afghan soldiers, many of whom were wounded. When one machine gun became inoperable, he directed a return to the rally point to switch to another gun-truck for a third trip into the ambush area where his accurate fire directly supported the remaining U.S. personnel and Afghan soldiers fighting their way out of the ambush. Despite a shrapnel wound to his arm, Corporal Meyer made two more trips into the ambush area in a third gun-truck accompanied by four other Afghan vehicles to recover more wounded Afghan soldiers and search for the missing U.S. team members. Still under heavy enemy fire, he dismounted the vehicle on the fifth trip and moved on foot to locate and recover the bodies of his team members. Meyer's daring initiative and bold fighting spirit throughout the 6-hour battle significantly disrupted the enemy's attack and inspired the members of the combined force to fight on. His unwavering courage and steadfast devotion to his U.S. and Afghan comrades in the face of almost certain death reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.[41]

gollark: Possible but impractical.
gollark: * 2048 CBs
gollark: 12G = 2048 dragons.
gollark: Do they take invisiprizes?
gollark: Non-inbred at least.

See also

References
  1. "Dakota L. Meyer". Military Times. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  2. Brad Knickebocker (September 15, 2011). "Dakota Meyer, a Marine who disregarded orders, is awarded Medal of Honor". Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on February 13, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013. Meyer is the third living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
    Jennifer Epstein (September 14, 2011). "Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor recipient, meets with President Obama". Politico. Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013. Meyer is the third living recipient and first Marine to receive the medal for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  3. CNN Wire Staff (September 16, 2011). "Marinene receives Medal of Honor at White House". CNN. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013. "I know that you've grappled with the grief of that day, that you have said that your efforts were somehow a failure because your teammates didn't come home," Obama told Dakota Meyer, who became the first living Marine to be recognized with the nation's highest military honor for actions in Afghanistan or Iraq.
  4. "Sgt. Dakota L. Meyer, USMC: Profile". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011. He was born and raised in Columbia, Kentucky, attended local public schools, and graduated from Green County High School.
  5. "Medal of Honor Recipient Dakota Meyerquote=Dakota Meyer has his Medal of Honor adjusted his father, Michael..." San Antonio Express-News. Texas. December 12, 2011. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015.
    "Reluctant hero and the weight of a medal". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Hawaii. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. But his mother, Felicia Gilliam....
  6. Lamothe, Dan (November 23, 2010). "MoH nominee says he does not feel like a hero". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  7. Estep, Bill, "Adair Native To Receive Medal Of Honor For 'Worst Day' Of His Life", Lexington Herald-Leader, 13 September 2011, p. 1.
  8. Lamothe, Dan (November 8, 2010). "Heroism in ambush may yield top valor awards". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  9. Cole, William, "Reluctant Hero And The Weight Of A Medal", Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 28 July 2011.
  10. "Defying Orders, Hero Marine Saved Other Troops". National Public Radio. September 15, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  11. Lamothe, Dan (November 10, 2010). "Ambush survivor up for Medal of Honor". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
    Lamothe, Dan (November 15, 2010). "Behind the Cover: An exclusive interview with Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor nominee". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on November 23, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  12. Lamothe, Dan (June 9, 2011). "Marines earn Navy Cross for Ganjgal heroism". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  13. Memoli, Michael A. (September 15, 2011). "Obama awards Medal of Honor to Kentucky Marine". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
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    "Obama to Present Marine With Medal of Honor in September, White House Announces". Fox News. August 12, 2011. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  15. "Sgt. Dakota Meyer Grabs a Beer With President Obama - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. September 15, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  16. Dylan Lovan (September 14, 2011). "Ex-Marine honored for saving 36 in Afghanistan". Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  17. Dan Lamothe (August 8, 2012). "Dakota Meyer attempted suicide, book reveals". Military Times. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  18. James V. Carroll (December 1, 2011). "Dakota Meyer, the newest Medal of Honor recipient, joins a select company of Americans". The American Legion Magazine. The American Legion. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
    Greg Kocher (December 16, 2011). "Crow turns out for Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  19. Charley Keyes (November 29, 2011). "Medal of Honor hero sues contractor". CNN. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  20. "Medal of Honor recipient sues defense contractor". AP Press. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  21. "Dakota Meyer drops case against BAE". militarytimes.com. December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on December 17, 2011.
  22. "Marines promoted inflated story for Medal of Honor recipient". McClatchy DC. Archived from the original on December 15, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
    "Marines promoted inflated story for Medal of Honor winner". Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
    "Report: Medal of Honor exaggeration? – USATODAY.com". USATODAY.COM. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
    "Medal of Honor recipient's story questioned". cbsnews.com. December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on December 16, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  23. Meyer, Dakota (June 18, 2013). Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War. Random House Trade Paperback. ISBN 9780679645443. OCLC 863042823.
  24. "Afghan ambush heroics go unrecognized". Army Times. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  25. "Former Army Captain To Receive Medal Of Honor". Huffington Post. September 16, 2013. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013.
  26. "Dakota Meyer". IMDb. Archived from the original on April 13, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  27. "About Us". VETPAW. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  28. "Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer calls for legalization of medical marijuana in Kentucky". WDRB. March 2, 2018. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  29. Grimes, Alison Lundergan; Meyer, Dakota (March 7, 2018). "It's time to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  30. "Bristol Palin and Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer engaged". CNN. March 14, 2015. Archived from the original on April 22, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  31. Ly, Laura (May 19, 2015). "Bristol Palin's wedding is called off". CNN. Archived from the original on May 19, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
    Palin, Bristol (May 26, 2015). "The Wedding That Didn't Happen". Patheos.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  32. Palin, Bristol. "Big News". Patheos. Archived from the original on June 30, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
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  34. Rayne, Naya (January 5, 2016). "Sarah Palin Slams Bristol's Ex-Fiancé After He Asks for Joint Custody of Baby Sailor: He Is Trying to 'Save Face'". Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  35. Bacardi, Francesca (March 10, 2016). "Bristol Palin and Dakota Meyer Reach Custody Agreement Over Baby Sailor". Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  36. "Bristol Palin marries Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer". Fox News. June 8, 2016. Archived from the original on June 8, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  37. Heller, Corinne (December 9, 2016). "Bristol Palin Is Pregnant With Her Third Child". E! Online. Archived from the original on December 10, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  38. "Bristol Palin And Husband Dakota Meyer Welcome Baby Girl" Archived May 9, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Huffington Post. May 8, 2017.
    "Bristol Palin and Husband Dakota Meyer Welcome Daughter — See the Cute Pic!" Archived May 9, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. People. May 8, 2017.
  39. Mandell, Andrea (February 13, 2018). "Bristol Palin's husband, Dakota Meyer, files for divorce, cites 'conflict of personalities'". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  40. Radar Staff (August 2, 2018). "Bristol Palin's Ex Confirms Divorce Finalized: Couple Sharing 50/50 Custody Of Kids". Radar Online. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  41. "Citation". Medal of Honor Sgt Dakota Meyer. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
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