Interview Worth It

Kyle Carpenter

Lance Cpl. William Kyle Carpenter doesn’t remember throwing himself between a buddy and a hand grenade on a village rooftop in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province on Nov. 21, 2010. Yet two military forensic teams determined that’s exactly what he did. Carpenter was on lookout duty with Lance Cpl. Nick Eufrazio when the grenade landed beside them. Kyle’s efforts to shield Eufrazio, say investigators, saved his friend’s life, though both suffered life-threatening injuries. Carpenter’s courage earned him the Medal of Honor, which President Barack Obama presented him in 2014. He is the youngest living recipient of the award. Carpenter has published a book about his experiences. You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For, co-written by Don Yaeger, relates Kyle’s recovery and his positive outlook on life. Carpenter has become a popular speaker dedicated to helping others overcome the challenges in their lives.

What made you enlist in the Marines?

I decided to enlist because I wanted to commit my life to a greater purpose. Specifically, I chose the Marine Corps because I’ve