In a recent episode of the talk show, “David Letterman,” the audience was introduced to a very special guest – Sergeant Dakota Meyer. Meyer, who is the only living Marine since Vietnam to receive the Medal of Honor, the highest award for Valor in our nation, was invited to share his incredible story with viewers.
As Sergeant Meyer made his entrance to the sound of applause, he donned his impressive Marine Corps uniform. Letterman couldn’t help but compliment him on his attire, jokingly asking if he had the opportunity to wear it often. Meyer humbly replied, stating that during his time in the Marine Corps, he didn’t wear it frequently but had recently found himself wearing it more often.
Born and raised in Columbia, Kentucky, Meyer shared a bit about his life growing up on a farm. With around 300 acres, they mainly focused on raising beef cattle. But it was at the time of graduation from high school that Meyer had to make a decision about his future. Despite initially planning to go to college and play football, a recruiter in his high school cafeteria challenged him by suggesting he couldn’t be both a Marine and a college football player. This motivated Meyer to prove him wrong, and he made the decision to join the Marine Corps.
With his grandfather also having served as a Marine, there was some influence from his family background as well. After going through the demanding boot camp at Parris Island, Meyer reflected on how, in hindsight, that experience seemed less challenging compared to everything else he faced in the Marines.
The conversation shifted to Meyer’s deployment in Iraq, where he was bitten by a spider and experienced complications. Despite going through surgeries and rehab, he soldiered on, completing his first visit to Iraq. But it was his subsequent deployment to Afghanistan that proved to be a different challenge altogether.
In Afghanistan, Meyer served as a sniper team leader, responsible for mission planning and execution. During a critical mission to engage with a village that wanted to renounce its Taliban affiliation and support the government, Meyer and his team found themselves ambushed.
As the enemy engaged his team, Meyer made the courageous decision to leave the safety of the trucks and go to their aid. He made several trips back and forth, rescuing 13 Marines, Army personnel, and 23 Afghan soldiers, all while under constant fire.
After hours of intense fighting, Meyer discovered the bodies of four fellow Marines, while another succumbed to his wounds later on. Reflecting on the experience, Meyer expressed that while the memory of that moment remains with him every day, he believes it is part of the risk one accepts when they put on a uniform to serve their country.
The talk then shifted towards Meyer’s scholarship initiative, aimed at helping the children of Marines injured in combat pursue higher education. Through the Dakota Meyer Scholarship Initiative, Meyer has pledged to raise one million dollars by the following May. In just a week, the initiative has already raised $31,000, showing the support Meyer has garnered from the American people.
Sergeant Dakota Meyer‘s bravery, sacrifice, and dedication to giving back to his fellow Marines truly made him a remarkable guest on “David Letterman.” His story serves as a reminder of the selflessness and heroism displayed by the men and women in our armed forces.
