APRIL 18, 2025 – Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer served on active duty in the Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010, but his commitment to service extended far beyond his military tenure, reflecting a lifelong dedication to his country, community and fellow veterans.
Early Life and Path to Service
Born June 26, 1988, in Columbia, Kentucky, to Felicia Gilliam and Mike Meyer, Dakota grew up on his father’s farm in the rolling hills of Green County. His childhood was shaped by rural life, where he developed a love for the outdoors through hunting, fishing and playing football for Green County High School.
A standout athlete, Meyer was known for his competitive spirit and teamwork, traits that later defined his military career. His grandfather, a Marine Corps veteran, profoundly influenced his decision to enlist. After graduating high school in 2006, Meyer chose to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, joining the Marine Corps at age 18 to serve his nation.
The Battle of Ganjgal
Meyer’s service culminated in the Battle of Ganjgal on Sept. 8, 2009, in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province, where his acts of extraordinary heroism led to him receiving the Medal of Honor. As a 21-year-old corporal, Meyer repeatedly entered an ambush zone under heavy enemy fire to rescue wounded comrades and recover the bodies of fallen service members. His actions saved 36 lives, including 13 Americans and 23 Afghan personnel.
The battle claimed the lives of Marine Corps 1st Lt. Michael Johnson, Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Johnson, Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Aaron Kenefick, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class James Layton and Army Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook, who later succumbed to injuries sustained during the fight.
On Sept. 15, 2011, former President Barack Obama presented Meyer with the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony. Meyer, humble about his actions, accepted the medal to honor his fallen brothers. In a Marine Corps video filmed in Kentucky and shown that same day, he reflected on the battle: “Valor isn’t just about honor or obligation. It’s your family, your brothers, your Marines — that’s what you do for a brother. We’re either going in there, or we’re going to die trying.”
Life After Active Duty
After leaving active duty in 2010, Meyer transitioned to civilian life but never strayed far from service. He worked briefly in construction, leveraging the work ethic honed on his family’s farm, before dedicating himself to veteran advocacy and community engagement.
Meyer joined the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, where he supported educational opportunities for children of Marines and Navy corpsmen. He also became a volunteer firefighter in Kentucky, serving his local community and drawing on his training to save lives in new ways.
Meyer emerged as a vocal advocate for veterans, sharing his experiences through public speaking and media engagements. He coauthored two books, one detailing the Battle of Ganjgal and another exploring resilience, mental health and his transition to civilian life.
His advocacy extended to mental health awareness, as Meyer openly discussed his struggles with post-traumatic stress and his journey to recovery, inspiring countless veterans to seek help.
Through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative, Meyer worked to connect veterans with employment opportunities, emphasizing the value of military skills in the civilian workforce. He frequently visited military installations to engage with service members and share lessons from his experiences.
On March 14, 2025, Meyer spoke to over 900 students in the Combat Medic Specialist Training Program at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
When a student asked how he overcame fear during the battle, Meyer responded: “You can go to school all day long and learn everything you can, but you will still find situations where you don’t know what to do or where to start. Your ability to push through that fear and those situations is what will get you through. And you have to keep making that decision to move forward over and over and push through that fear with every step.”
Reenlistment and Continued Service
Today, Meyer reenlisted in the Marine Corps, a testament to his enduring commitment to service. Despite the prestige and benefits associated with the Medal of Honor, including a monthly pension and access to exclusive veteran programs, Meyer chose to return to uniform.
His decision aligns with a broader surge in military recruiting, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted during a March 26, 2025, visit to the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth reported that recruiting numbers are up across the armed services, signaling renewed public interest in military service.
Hegseth attributed this trend to a focus on — restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence — priorities outlined in his Jan. 25, 2025, message to the force, emphasizing lethality, meritocracy, accountability, standards and readiness.
Meyer is no longer the 18-year-old recruit who first stepped onto the yellow footprints at Marine Corps boot camp. His decision today is measured, deliberate and inspired by the Defense Department’s priorities. As Meyer resumes his uniformed service, his legacy stands as a reminder that valor extends beyond extraordinary acts of bravery in combat. It resonates through a lifetime of devoted service, leadership and an unwavering commitment to country.
By David Vergun and Army Maj. Wes Shinego, DOD News