Meyer comes home a HERO after rescue mission
While most teenagers were worrying about what college classes they were going to take, 17-year-old Dakota Meyer stood in line to serve his country and join the Marines.
Now, at age 22, Meyer is considered a hero, but he only hopes his acts of heroism will honor his fallen comrades.
Meyer spent six months in Afghanistan in 2009. He is being considered for the Medal of Honor for an act of bravery during a mission after three of his fellow Marines and an Afghan soldier were killed.
THE MISSION
The mission is detailed in last week’s Marine Corps Times.
On Sept. 8, 2009, Meyer went on a rescue mission to look for fellow Marines that were reported missing.
According to the published report, a group of Marines was surrounded by enemy gunfire. They had scarce radio contact and faced dozens of insurgents.
The Times reports that rescue attempts using an armored vehicle with a .50 caliber machine gun failed at least twice. Every time a rescue attempt was made, the Marines were halted by gunfire, grenades and mortars.
The report states that shrapnel hit Meyer when a bullet hit the vehicle. Under heavy gunfire and wounded, Meyer went on foot to recover the missing Marines.
Meyer located the bodies of the four Marines, Staff Sgt. Aaron Kenefick, Lt. Michael Johnson, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class James Layton and an Afghan soldier in a ditch. Meyer carried the bodies of his fallen comrades amidst gunfire to the armored vehicle, according to The Times.
Meyer was 21 years old at the time of the mission.
The magazine reports that Meyer gave a five-page report on the mission but Meyer’s name was redacted from the report. Parents of the deceased Marines told the magazine that Meyer was responsible for bringing their sons back.
The author of the article, Dan Lamothe, in The Times, dug through over 300 pages of the report as a part of the investigation into the mission. The military released only a portion of the report on the mission.
Meyer told the magazine, “The main thing that we need to get from that day is that those guys died heroes, and they are greatly missed…This isn’t about me. If anything comes out of it for me, it’s for those guys.”
The magazine reports that Meyer worked closely with three of the deceased Marines, Layton, Johnson and Kenefick.
Meyer was awarded the Purple Heart after he was wounded.
RETURNING HOME
Because he was only 17 when he joined the Marines, Dakota’s father Mike signed for him to join. It was one week before Dakota’s 18th birthday.
Dakota was accepted into different colleges including the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University. He decided that college was not what he needed at the time.
“He looked at me and told me he wasn’t ready (for college),” Mike said. “I respected him for telling me the truth.”
“I wanted something different,” Dakota said. “I wanted a change.”
“I’ve always supported him in everything he wanted to do,” said Mike, a Columbia resident and an employee at Southern States.
Dakota attended Adair County High School for two years and then transferred to Green County to play football, where he graduated. Meyer continues to live in Green County.
Dakota was stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and spent most of his term traveling.
“At first it was like a culture shock,” Dakota said. “It opens you up to different parts of the world.”
Returning home was also an adjustment for Dakota.
“It’s just a day by day thing,” Dakota said.
He returned home in June after his four-year term with the Marines was complete.
Dakota’s perspective of handling the small things in life has changed since his time in Afghanistan.
“It really changed my perspective on taking things for granted,” Dakota said. “It may seem tough here but there are guys over there getting shot at … It’s hard to understand until you’ve seen it first hand.”
Dakota has no plans to return to active duty.
Dakota now works for Ausgar Technology, which is based in San Diego, Calif. He trains military on new gear and technology. However, he has times when his passion for the Marines makes him want to go back.
“When I see things on the news, it makes me want to go back,” Dakota said. “But I can’t win the war by myself.”
Since having the experience Dakota understands how military life affects not only the enlisted but also their families.
“I have a lot of respect for the families and military personnel because I’ve lived that life,” Dakota said.
His father also has a better understanding of the war and military life.
“Having a son in the Marines, I understand it more,” Mike said.
Mike said he is glad his son is home.
“I am very proud,” Mike said.
Dakota explained how being a Marine has affected him.
“It’s your way of life,” Dakota said. “At the end of the day I am still a Marine…It’s not the easiest job ever, but I have pride in it.”
By Allison Hollon
allison@accvonline.com
