Kyle Carpenter

Those that from all branches, Marine Corps aside, just those that at 17, 18 years old in World War II, when they knew that the chances of making it onto the beach, making it to the beach even, and then past the beach and surviving what lay ahead were such great.

such a minuscule chance right and when those doors open they charge for it anyway right and you know i think a lot of people just in conversations i've had or just um you know the love and support that i'm i'm so humbled to be given sometimes it seems like oh kyle the first guy in history that jumped on a grenade

But you look back at every conflict and there are those that, you know, Grenader not only went above and beyond, but gave that last full measure of devotion for each other or for a purpose greater than themselves or any individual.

And so that's why I say I was just happened to be on that roof and in those moments.

Right.

But again, it was a culmination of so many different things in my life for my family, coaches on the athletic fields growing up.

And I think ultimately, I'm just so thankful that I reacted the way I did.

Now, granted, I wish I could have taken every bit of that grenade, but...

at least I can live my life and not always wonder why I didn't or if I could have.

Because the Marine that I was with, my best friend, he was injured as well.

So I wish I could have taken every bit of that blast.

But, you know, I still I feel like gave my best effort.

And so now I can live my life not wondering, but just being proud that I was able to step up.

as the Marine and the friend that I needed to be in that moment, but also going back to those moments in boot camp to have tried my best to uphold the legacy and the path that the Marines that came before me laid with unfathomable amounts of courage and sacrifice.

Perfectly said, yes.

Well, I should have thought I'm about to kick this thing right back off the roof.

But strangely, and I appreciate you having my book and reading it.

That's incredible.

Strangely, I don't remember any of the moments leading up to the blast.

Now, unofficially, which, you know, the Medal of Honor that was awarded to me, although it never is and never will be an individual award or recognition.