Wilson: Kyle Carpenter Is A Testament to America’s Greatness

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) released the following statement after attending Corporal William “Kyle” Carpenter’s Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House.  On November 21, 2010, Corporal Kyle Carpenter of Gilbert, South Carolina, risked his life for a fellow Marine when he threw himself on a hand grenade while keeping watch on a rooftop in Afghanistan.  He is the 8th living recipient to receive this most prestigious honor while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. 

“Corporal Kyle Carpenter is a true testament to America’s greatness,” Congressman Joe Wilson stated.  “I have had the distinct privilege of knowing Kyle for several years. From my first visit with him and his mother Robin at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, I was impressed by their determination. Kyle’s heroic actions convey true selflessness. Throughout his lengthy recovery, he has shown character and fearlessness, traits that embody the spirit of our great nation. Corporal Carpenter is without a doubt a deserving individual to receive our nation’s highest recognition of valor. He answered the call of duty and without hesitation, put himself in harm’s way to save a comrade’s life with the intention of preserving our freedoms. He embodies the New Greatest Generation.”

*Earlier this year, Congressman Wilson awarded Corporal Kyle Carpenter with the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Patriot Award. This Congressionally created nonprofit program honors a selected district veteran who has demonstrated valor in military service and a continued dedication to his or her fellow Americans after returning from service.  The Patriot Award honors a “hometown hero” in hopes of demonstrating to youth that the ideas they read about in history books are, in reality, regular Americans who rose to the occasion – hopefully inspiring them to follow suit.  Kyle is without a doubt a deserving recipient of this award.