Scroll Left Scroll Right

60 Minutes Overtime MJ's "manifesto," penned in 1979 1 of 9
Feature Backstage at Cirque du Soleil show "Immortal" 2 of 9
60 Minutes Overtime Angelina Jolie: I would love to live a long life 3 of 9
60 Minutes Overtime Bill Gates on Steve Jobs: We grew up together 4 of 9
60 Minutes Overtime How Bill Gates' school launched his life's work 5 of 9
Feature Jessica Buchanan's long journey home 6 of 9
60 Minutes Overtime Bill Clinton tried to get Led Zeppelin back together 7 of 9
60 Minutes Overtime From soldier to mad scientist: Kit Parker's lab 8 of 9
Gallery Soldiers' Art: What traumatic brain injury feels like 9 of 9

May 24, 2012 3:58 PM

Print
Text

Extreme bravery, reluctant hero

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: Correspondent Candids

As National Security Correspondent for CBS News, David Martin has spent decades reporting about the U.S. military, covering virtually every major defense, intelligence, and international affairs story.

Which is why Martin immediately knew there was something special about Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer when he interviewed him for a piece that aired in September on "60 Minutes."

"There are people out there who, because of their upbringing, because of their DNA, are just natural-born warriors," Martin said. "And Dakota's one of them."

An avid hunter from Columbia, Kentucky, Meyer says he can hit a squirrel at 800 yards-- which might be why the Marines made him a sniper.

But it wasn't marksmanship that earned Meyer his Medal of Honor. In September 2009, when his unit was caught in a deadly Taliban ambush in Afghanistan, Meyer repeatedly ran through enemy fire to rescue soldiers trapped in the killing zone.

For such heroism, President Obama awarded Dakota Meyer the highest military honor in the nation. Yet in this Overtime piece, you'll see that Meyer doesn't feel he did anything special.

Salvatore Giunta, also a Medal of Honor recipient, said the same thing to Lara Logan in 2010 when she interviewed him about his own heroics in another deadly battle in Afghanistan.

Why don't these men think of themselves as heroes? David Martin explains on "60 Minutes Overtime."

UPDATE: Dakota Meyer retired from the Marine Corps in 2010. He currently lives on his family farm in Kentucky and spends his time speaking to groups about his experiences.

34 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 34 Comments


by isaacwalker July 15, 2012 12:38 AM EDT: I can understaind why he will not call him self a hero because he did not complet the mision and no he is not a hero yes you all my get mad at me but hes not he was doing what he was traind to do and when i go into the the military I will do the same thing if need to i will die so my budys can live its crazy yes but its who we are thats how people in the miliary think so thank you for your service marine semper Fi and to thoes past present and to the ones who have lost there lifes we salute you thank you; Reply to this comment


by baxterbarney May 28, 2012 7:19 PM EDT: A true American. Although ,I was and am vehemently against the Iraqui invasion and the late,late entry into the Afghan debacle, I cannot but give a hats off to the soldier.; Reply to this comment


by rec1947 May 28, 2012 1:10 PM EDT: Sgt Dakota Meyer's story is both inspiring and disturbing. Inspiring because Sgt Meyers did what any Marine would have done in his place. I can not speak for the Army, Navy, or Air Force although I am sure they would have done the same, but as a vietnam veteran of the Marines, I know that any Marine would have done the same. Disturbing though was the action, or lack of by the support personnel that should have been assisting this operation. I wonder though if there actions were a by product of fear for ther own careers, by criminal and or congressional investigations if innocent civilians had been killed. Unfortunatley this is what "limited war" produces. The blame here lies with the way we fight wars today. All actions are judged by leaders, while not on the scene at the time, will use there hindsight to decide what is right and wrong and to dictate what our actions should have been. Until they realize that war is not limited and that there actions continue to endanger the lives of our troops, these incidents will continue. Lets think more about protecting the people you have sent to war, than worring about the next election! Both political parties are guilty of the above. Dammit, these are our people serving over there and there lives and safty are far more important that your DAMN poltics. Bob Crowe; Reply to this comment


by slughunter May 27, 2012 10:50 PM EDT: To Barbara Hunter, that retired sailor of the U.S. Navy--I did not see any disrespect shown to the president; any discomfort or lack of complete military protocol should be chocked up to a reluctant warrior, placed in a very public and out-of-character environment.
This young man projected the values of an almost vanished American Republic harkening back to the days of the Revolution when there was not a United States; the honor of the citizen soldier, that link to the Roman past, that republic and it's Cincinnatus---the citizen farmer who left his plow and took up the sword and duties as a Tribune in the Roman Army, sworn to uphold the sacred dignity of the Roman Senate and the people of Rome.
We don't make many people like Dakota Meyers or see many of his civilian contemporaries take up the call and put on a uniform; that no one in the United States is required to perform some form of service to this country, either in military uniform or performing a civilian service--a loss to our country and a weakening of the bonds which bind this country together.; Reply to this comment

by bannejohnson December 5, 2011 2:40 PM EST

Immediately AFTER the reading of the Medal of Honor Citation, the awardee is to make a half-turn to the right in order for the President to make a smooth, dignified placement of the medal on his neck. The awardee is briefed and rehearsed on every aspect of the ceremony. SGT Meyer turned his back to Obama at the beginning of the lengthy reading of the citation. Meyer's expression was one of deliberateness.
If the phone call snub did not confirm Meyer's disrespect for Obama, turning his back should have made it clear. Obama's discomfort is obvious and sustained. Obama's scrunched-up face proved that he knew the meaning of the gesture, which now became permanently recorded for history.
Medal of Honor Recipient Dakota Meyer is now elevated above Mr. Obama and is making a profound statement that active duty military and veterans can easily read.
Personally, I do not think Obama deserves to be in the same room with Dakota Meyer.
Barbara Johnson, U.S. Navy, Retired
P.S.
"Disrespect" is not a verb.

Reply to this comment


by SoldierGI June 1, 2012 12:38 AM EDT: Personally, I do not think Obama deserves to be in the same room with Dakota Meyer.
Barbara Johnson, U.S. Navy, Retired

Well, then it's a good thing those of us in Kunar that day don't think your opinion matters at all, Sailor. At ease and as you were.


by Christopher41011 September 20, 2011 9:03 AM EDT: So if the investigation found that the actions of the Army Captain and others were negligent, why only a letter of reprimand. I thought negligence resulting in death is manslaughter. I was an officer in the Navy and one of my collateral duties was Naval Gunfire Support. The first thing we learn is when you receive a call for fire from the Marines, you better have outgoing rounds within seconds or Marines die. Not sure what they are teaching in the Army. Or maybe it is just the Rules of Engagement that the current administration likes to impose....making our soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen operationally impotent and costing lives. As if anyone in this administration has ever served this great country in any capacity other than a career politician.
Chris - Fort Worth, TX; Reply to this comment


by ndensford September 19, 2011 10:32 AM EDT: economistic has got it right. Focus. Meyer is man dedicated to the task at hand, be it farm, family, country, or employment. I think the president respects that.

ndensford; Reply to this comment


by TIREDOFMURDER September 19, 2011 7:23 AM EDT: This story told by 60 minutes,is one of our finest, and one of our worst.All of these men(heros) we put them in a place around the world,to do a job. Then when they pick up there communications, and do all but beg for help,for their lives.On the other end they get lied to.This needs to stop NOW. What were they thinking? Lets protect the tribal leaders.This is not thinking,we need to wake up.I would bet the house, that if it was there son, daughter,or even there cousins the would have done the right thing. That would have been to rain down the artillery and bring in the gunships. You have our best and brightest after six hours, of trying to find his brothers.Getting allies out of harms way,jumping into his brothers dead body. WHAT!! You have got to be kidding me.Lets bring home these heros get them the help they so dearly need and deserve.PLEASE WAKE UP AMERICA CALL SOMEBODY MAYBE THEY WILL LISTEN.

Sincerely Ronald J.Marr Sr.; Reply to this comment


by raidcrasher1 September 19, 2011 12:33 AM EDT: Hurrah Marine. Dakota Myer is a Marines' Marine and he will go down as a legend in Marine Corps history. Just remember that wounds are not always visible. I pray that Dakota and all of his brave warrior brothers will find peace as they go through life. May God bless them and all of those who guard the freedom of our great nation. Semper Fi.; Reply to this comment


by bninrb September 18, 2011 10:32 PM EDT: SEMPER FI . . . The best that America stands for.; Reply to this comment

See all 34 Comments

Popular Now in 60 Minutes Overtime

recommended

Follow 60 Minutes Overtime

Most Popular on CBS News

Stories More »

Videos More »

America's #1 News Program, Now on your iPad Download Now »

Recently on 60 Minutes

Michael Jackson's lucrative legacy
The Michael Jackson brand is alive and well-paid: the pop legend has made more money in death than he ever did alive. Lara Logan reports.
A Face in the Crowd: Say goodbye to anonymity
Even if your picture isn't on the Internet, computerized facial recognition makes it virtually impossible to keep your "faceprint" private. Lesley Stahl reports.
Afghan children on a long and perilous journey
Thousands of mostly teenage boys have fled their country to embark on a 10,000-mile trek to Europe in search of a better life. Anderson Cooper reports.
North Korean prisoner escaped after 23 brutal years
Born in a prison camp, Shin Dong-hyuk describes how three generations of a family are incarcerated if one family member is considered disloyal. Anderson Cooper reports.

60 Minutes on Facebook

Extreme bravery, reluctant hero

Report offensive content:

E-mail this comment to a friend.

Follow 60 Minutes Overtime

48 Hours iPad App