Heroic Marine sacrifices himself by jumping on a grenade to protect a comrade, awarded the Medal of Honor

You may have heard the name William Kyle Carpenter, but there is no denying that he embodies the spirit of an American hero.

At just 21 years old, Kyle reached the rank of Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.

During a fierce firefight, a grenade landed dangerously close to him and another Marine. Without hesitation, Kyle jumped into action – a decision that would not only reveal his extraordinary courage, but would change the course of his life forever. He jumped onto the grenade, using his body to shield his fellow Marines from the blast.

In this selfless act, he risked everything to save a life. The explosion left Kyle with severe injuries. His body was riddled with shrapnel and he suffered catastrophic damage to his skull and face. He lost part of his jaw, one of his lungs collapsed, and upon arrival back at Camp Bastion, he was declared PEA (Patient Deceased on Arrival).

Miraculously, Kyle was still alive.

Over the next two years, he underwent an incredible forty surgeries to treat his injuries. His brave actions earned him the Purple Heart and he was later awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama. Today, Kyle is retired from the military and is pursuing a degree at the University of South Carolina.

He is a true American hero. Watch the video below to learn more about Kyle’s extraordinary journey. Please share to honor a man who selflessly put himself in danger to protect others.