Dakota Meyer was born in June 1988. Raised in Columbia, Kentucky, he attended local public schools under he graduated from Green County High School.
In 2006, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at a recruiting station in Louisville, Kentucky, and completed his basic training at Parris Island Recruit Training Depot later that year. In November 2006 he received orders to Marine Corps Base Hawaii and was assigned to Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines. In February 2007 he qualified as a Scout Sniper and was reassigned to Scout Sniper Platoon. That same year in August he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning early in September because of a medical injury.
In late 2008, he volunteered for an Embedded Training Team and in 2009 deployed to to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was while serving in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, as a Turret Gunner and Driver with Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7 that he performed the heroic actions for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He returned to Hawaii in 2010 and completed his active duty commitment that same year.
Besides the Medal of Honor, his personal awards include the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a Combat “V” device, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal.
In his civilian professional life, he has completed undergraduate college coursework and currently works in Kentucky’s construction industry.
Additional Information:
Dakota Meyer – Personal Website
Sgt Dakota L Meyer @ Who’s Who in Marine Corps History