Without any question, those brave men and women who enlist into the military are remarkable people. They’ve made the choice to risk their lives for our freedoms. With all the technology that exists today, some people are under the mistaken impression that there’s less for soldiers to fear on the battlefield. However, Kyle Carpenter’s ordeal proves just how dangerous it still is to be a service member. Carpenter became a soldier as soon as he could. And since then he has proven that he has the toughness and skill needed to become a marine. By the age of 21, Carpenter had worked his way up to the rank of lance corporal.

And his fellow marines held a tremendous amount of respect for him as they could see that he was a fantastic soldier to have in their division. He was always looking out for other soldiers and sought to ensure that his fellow marines were as safe as possible. But then, in 2010, something happened that would forever change his life. While completing a tour in Afganistan, he and his unit experienced an intense battle. At some point during the fighting, a grenade landed next to him and another marine. Carpenter did not hesitate for even a split-second.

Source: Kyle Carpenter/Facebook

He understood that there was only one thing left he could do to save his fellow soldier. Carpenter jumped right on top of the grenade, and in doing so, took the entire blast.

Miraculously, the young soldier was somehow still alive but horribly wounded. The medics were able to help stabilize his injuries before rushing him to the nearest military hospital.

Source: Kyle Carpenter/Facebook

The medics just couldn’t believe that Carpenter was still breathing after so much shrapnel ripped through his body. Carpenter’s skull bones were shattered in several places. And one of his lungs was collapsing.

Carpenter lost consciousness in the hospital. At the time, he was certain he would never wake up again.

Source: Kyle Carpenter/Facebook

The soldier fell into a coma that lasted for weeks. The medics did everything they could for him, but they held out little hope for his survival. After all, these were injuries most people did not recover from.

“The next thing I remember is waking up to the sight of Christmas stockings on a wall and snow covering a hospital room window.” – Carpenter.

Source: Kyle Carpenter/Facebook

To his astonishment, Carpenter found that he was not in the desert anymore. Instead, he was being treated at an American hospital during Christmas time. It all felt like a dream to the soldier, but slowly, he came to realize that it was very real. He had made it.

However, this was far from the end of his long journey. He would never serve in combat again, but the hospital stay would prove to be another grueling test.

Source: Kyle Carpenter/Facebook

In order to help Carpenter get back into good health, he would have to endure 40 surgeries. In all, it took two and a half years to complete them all. Fortunately, the surgeons did a fantastic job, and Carpenter is now able to live a full life.

Source: Kyle Carpenter/Facebook

If you came across him on the street today, you would not believe that he had been through such a traumatic event.

After Carpenter was discharged, he learned that he had earned one of America’s highest military honors. Then-President Barack Obama was going to award him the medal of honor!

Source: CNN/YouTube

Carpenter took a trip to the White House. Once there he participated in a very elaborate ceremony in which the president celebrated his courage and placed the medal around his neck.

The marine has since become a motivational speaker and dedicated his life toward helping other wounded soldiers recover from both physical and mental injuries suffered on the battlefield. He’s also interested in becoming a psychologist.

Source: Kyle Carpenter/Facebook

Carpenter celebrated his 30th birthday this year. It’s mind-blowing to think that about how he’s achieved so much for someone so young!

Source: The Ron Project