Kyle Carpenter, nation's youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, coming to OCC

TOMS RIVER — It's not every day a Medal of Honor recipient comes to Ocean County, says Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

But on April 3, Kyle Carpenter, the nation's youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, is coming to Ocean County College to take part in the college foundation's Blauvelt Speaker Series, in partnership with the prosecutor's office.

"It's an amazing story,'' Billhimer said of Carpenter’s life. "It's a remarkable journey of this guy who wanted to serve his country and paid such a heavy price and has probably no regrets about it. I don't know if he does or if he doesn't - that's why I'm interested to hear him speak.''

Carpenter is the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nations' highest military honor.

Carpenter was 20 when, while serving as a Marine rifleman in Afghanistan, his squad was attacked by Taliban forces on Nov. 21, 2010. During the attack, a live grenade landed between Carpenter and a fellow Marine. Carpenter threw himself on the grenade to save his comrade.

"He actually ended up throwing himself on a grenade and suffered such catastrophic injuries that he probably shouldn't be alive, but by the sheer grace of God and the medical personnel, he's alive,'' Billhimer said.

Carpenter lost his right eye and most of his lower jaw and teeth, and his arm was broken in 30 places, as a result of his valorous act.

He remained unconscious for five weeks and then spent more than 2 1/2 years recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He underwent about 40 surgeries during his recovery.

During the grueling process, Carpenter set post-recovery goals for himself - to run a marathon, earn a college degree, backpack through Europe and sky-dive. After being released from the hospital at age 24, he was able to accomplish each of those goals and many more.

When he was first approached to partner with the college foundation on the program, Billhimer said it didn't take him long to decide who the first speaker should be.

The prosecutor said he floated the idea to the Ocean County Police Chiefs Association, and William Dikun, retired Bay Head police chief, suggested the Medal of Honor recipient.

Billhimer said he did some research and read Carpenter's autobiography, and was immediately sold on partnering with the foundation to present an appearance by the decorated Marine.

“I figured if we were ever going to partner on a speaker, this would be a great first try,'' Billhimer said.

President Barack Obama awarded Carpenter the Medal of Honor on June 19, 2014.

Five years later, Carpenter published his autobiography, "You are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For.''

Billhimer said he was not only inspired by Carpenter's book, but actually teared up a number of times while reading it.

"You read it and you want to give this kid a hug,'' Billhimer said. "He's not a kid anymore. He's probably in his 30s.”

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Carpenter's military awards include a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, NATO Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon and the Purple Heart - the award for which he is most proud.

Carpenter currently hosts "The Kyle Carpenter Podcast,'' a platform that allows him to share stories of inspirational individuals and expand upon perspectives through meaningful conversations regarding leadership, adversity and finding a joyful purpose in life.

The event will take place at the Grunin Center Main Stage.

Admission is free, but advance registration is required. The event also will be live-streamed.

To register for attendance or to watch the livestream, visit: https://grunincenterocc.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/events/aOSHqOOOOOEFLkQMAX

The Blauvelt Speaker Series is funded in part by the family of the late Bradford Thomas & Eleanor G. Blauvelt and The Wintrode Family Foundation.

The Blauvelt family started a fund in 1980 to bring unique speakers to the college. The concept was rebooted in recent years to create the Blauvelt Speaker Series, which seeks to enrich the lives of people in the community with appearances by the likes of authors, heroes, television personalities and members of the medical community.

Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean County College to host Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter