US Marine receives highest military honour 16.09.11

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Published on September 19, 2011 9:46:52 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEJMPgnq8KQ

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Barack Obama has awarded the US military's highest honour to a Marine credited with saving 36 lives during an intense fire-fight in Afghanistan.

The President bestowed the Medal of Honour on Dakota Meyer during a ceremony at the White House.

During an hours-long battle with the Taliban in September 2009, the 23-year-old defied orders and barrelled straight into a "killing zone" to save the lives of three dozen US and Afghan comrades.

Meyer charged through heavy insurgent gunfire on five death-defying trips in an armoured Humvee to save 13 Marines and Army soldiers and an additional 23 Afghan troops pinned down by enemy fire.

The military said he killed at least eight insurgents despite taking shrapnel to his arm.