A Tribute to Sergeant Dakota Meyer

Floor Speech

* Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Dakota Meyer, U.S. Marine Corps, who has virtuously served the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

* Today, Sgt. Meyer will receive the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest medal for bravery, for his courageous actions while serving as a member of the Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command in Kunar Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

* On Sept. 8, 2009, Meyer's actions saved the lives of 13 U.S. troops and 23 Afghan soldiers.

* Taliban insurgents were dug into the high ground and hidden inside a village, pouring down deadly fire at Afghan forces and their American advisers. Armed militants swarmed the low ground to try to finish off the troops.

* Meyer's team was pinned down near the village. Defying orders to stay put, Meyer set himself in the turret of a Humvee and rode straight into the firefight, taking fire from all directions. He went in not once, but five times, trying to rescue his comrades.

* During about six hours of chaotic fighting, he killed eight Taliban militants and provided cover for Afghan and U.S. servicemen to escape the ambush.

* We owe our freedom to exceptional soldiers, like Sgt. Meyer, whose bravery and heroism, and the bravery of those who he fought alongside of, will forever be remembered and appreciated.

* I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring Sergeant Dakota Meyer for his steadfast commitment to the U.S. Marine Corps, his fellow soldiers, his nation and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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