New York, NY (June 19, 2014) – President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award, to Corporal William “Kyle” Carpenter, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret), for conspicuous gallantry. Corporal Carpenter received the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as an Automatic Rifleman with Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) joins a grateful nation in honoring Corporal Carpenter for receiving the Medal of Honor.

“IAVA congratulates Corporal Kyle Carpenter on this momentous honor,” said IAVA CEO and Founder Paul Rieckhoff. “His incredible bravery and selflessness to protect his fellow Marines serves as just one example of the heroism exemplified by our New Greatest Generation of veterans. For the past few weeks, our community has been learning about the upsetting news concerning Iraq and the VA scandal. Carpenter’s story serves as an inspiring shot of hope. IAVA members across the world are inspired by Carpenter’s leadership, courage and tenacity. And we look forward to watching him continue to inspire for the rest of his life.”