William Kyle Carpenter is a surname. You may or may not recognize his name, but there is no denying that he is a true American hero.

Kyle was commissioned as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 21. He was sent to Afghanistan in 2010.

A grenade fell near where Kyle and another Marine were battling during a battle. Kyle sprang into action without hesitation…

It was a split-second choice that spoke eloquently about Kyle’s tenacity, but it would affect his life forever. Kyle pounced on the grenade and used his body as a barrier to protect his companion.

He gave his life as a sacrifice so that his fellow Marine may be saved.

As a result of the subsequent explosion, he received severe injuries. His body was filled with shrapnel, and his skull and face bones were crushed. Kyle also lost a portion of his jaw, one of his lungs collapsed, and he was designated P.E.A (patient expired on arrival) when he arrived back at Camp Bastion.

Kyle was technically dead. He managed to survive.

Kyle was required to have forty separate procedures over the following two years. He was given the Purple Heart for his valor, as well as the renowned Medal of Honor, which President Barack Obama bestowed upon him.

Kyle has now retired from the military and is pursuing a degree at the University of South Carolina.

A genuine American hero. More about Kyle’s story may be seen in the video below:

Share to express your support for a guy who freely gave up his life to save the life of another.