Medal of Honor winner wonders why he's being honored for "worst day of my life"

In this undated photo released by the U.S. Marines, Sgt. Dakota Meyer poses for a photo while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Ganjgal Village, Kunar province, Afghanistan.

/ AP Photo/U.S. Marines

Hours before receiving the nation's highest award for military valor, a humble Marine from Kentucky wonders, why he's being honored for "the worst day of my life." 23-year old Sergeant Dakota Meyer told CBS Radio News, "it's going to be a hard time" when President Obama presents the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony.

Wounded and facing heavy Taliban fire in a remote Afghanistan battle zone in September of 2009, Meyer was credited with saving the lives of 13 Americans and 23 Afghan troops. The military account describes how Meyer killed at least eight attackers despite suffering a shrapnel wound as he fired from a gun turret.

He was also determined to recover the bodies of four other Americans who had been killed in the ambush.

Meyer and two other soldiers dodged heavy gun and grenade fire to retrieve the bodies. Meyer steadfastly rejects the title hero.

"If I was a hero I would have brought them out alive that day. That's a hero. I was just doing my job," he told CBS News.

But Susan Rice, the mother of one of the dead Americans insisted, "The guilt that he has does not belong to him." In an interview, Rice, mother of Staff Sergeant Aaron Kenefick of Roswell, Georgia said her son had "a bond" with Meyer. She said, "They lived and worked together. It doesn't get any closer than that."

Asked about a message to future Marines, Meyer said, "You got to do what's right." His voice choking with emotion, he added, "Leave no marine behind."

Today's East Room ceremony won't the first meeting between Dakota Meyer and President Barack Obama. A White House spokesman says when the president's staff called Meyer to consult about the ceremony; he asked if he could have a beer with Mr. Obama. The Marine and the Commander in Chief met for brews yesterday on a patio near the Oval office.

[mooring7]

Sgt Meyer you are being honored because the worst day of your life was spent in service to your country. Thank you

[netjunkie1]

It is hard to see your brother servicemen suffer and die because of incompetence......you made up for it....hero

[noloyalisti]

So we use our taxpayer-funded military to root out a few terrorists in Afghanistan. Billions of our money disappears. Halliburton and other war profiteers like Blackwater make millions and millions of dollars for their CEOs and Republican slaves in our "elected" government.

Our military was the perfect stooge for the giant corporations. They could use taxpayers funds and use their corporate media to spread propaganda that they were spreading democracy overseas. No they were spreading freedom for their corporate "people" to enjoy freedom for predatory capitalism.

[noloyalisti]

We should not have young people there in the first place. While I applaud his bravery, it is only because some corporate CEOs decided to invade for oil riches so we actually made up the whole problem that caused this.

[noloyalisti]

You were not paying attention when they news came out about the pipeline from the Caspian Sea across Afghanistan. And when America appointed the former Unocal executive Karzai to the presidency.

Yes George, I hate to inform you that the purpose of the military has become to use taxpayer money to ensure the freedom for big American corporations to rape and pillage overseas.

[Excalibrationist]

My resounding congrats to Sergeant Dakota Meyer and you are to be applauded all over the country. It takes a lot of guts as well as a sound mind to be able to think clearly under fire, especially while wounded.
Oorah, Sir!

[AmericanConscious]

Meeting With Obama so I can get my Medal of Honor would his worst day of his life.
Congratulations Sgt. Meyer
Well Done.

[JarHeadVet64]

What really sucks to be Obama and one of his menions.

[I2Grok]

Minions - You also cannot spell